Storp  of  Iking 
anb  ©ueen  atmce 


Cfjnt  I&tnfi  Sglbain  anto  <®ueen  afoifc  banccti  in  tjje 


ITbe  Ston?  of  Ifting 
anb  (Slueen 


riDargaret 

mitt)   Ullustratfons 

Dfcorattons    fag   &arai)   &.   Sttlltaell 


gorfc 
ITbe  flDacmillan  Company 


Co., 


|fl  C  ffl  5  F         2111  rights  restrbrt 


COPYRIGHT,  1904, 
BY  THE  MACMILLAN  COMPANY. 


Set  up,  electrotyped,  and  published  March,  1904. 


J.  S.  Gushing  &  Co.—  Her  wick  &  Smith  Co. 
Norwood,  Mass.,  I'.S.A. 


BetucatttJ  to 

&unafoags  in  Spirit 


OOOQQ21 

&&{,4iJ*J+~*'*- 


CONTENTS 
CHAPTER   I 

PAGE 

met  &ueen  ftimie 
secretly  in  tlje  Garden,  anD  of  Wfytti 
jfligtlt  .  13 

CHAPTER   II 

tlje  feing  and  tlje  €iueen  toettt 
ontoarD  in  tlje  j^igl)t,  and  Ijott)  tEljep 
roue  toitl)  tlje  Carter  23 

CHAPTER   III 
tlje  booing  of  €iueen  0ime'e      *      33 

CHAPTER   IV 

anD  €iueen  0ime'e 


tnere  toeDDeD  b^  tlje  l^ol^  span,  and  of 


.....      47 

5 


CONTENTS 
CHAPTER   V 

PAGE 

f  t^e  ilton  tljat  tame  against  tEljem 

in  t&e  forest       *       «       «  59 

CHAPTER  VI 

tlje  J?ounD  pursueD  anD  founD 
(Eljem,  anD  of  tlje  Spantle  tljat  toa0 
maDe  of  tlje  ilion'0  ^>hin  «  *  69 

CHAPTER  VII 


anD 

toare  Hobe0  of  tEinsel  at  tlje 
ming,  anD  of  tlje  Merriment  thereof      81 

CHAPTER   VIII 

f  Ijoto  tEljep  toent  etier  ^>outljtoarD  anD 

of  tlje  0geD  ^ranDam      .        .        *      95 

CHAPTER   IX 

f  tye  gorging  of  tlje  king's  £>toorD 

at  tlje  ^>mit^      «        ,        «        »    109 

6 


CONTENTS 
CHAPTER   X 

PAGE 

IjiD  tEtjemsfelbes  in  tlje  ©afc 
from  QTljem  tfcat  pursues,  anD 
of  t^e  jfigtjt  bettoeen  £>it  &i\\t$  anD 
ir  IBertranO        *        «        »       «    119 

CHAPTER  XI 


J?oto  ^tng  ^v^atn  anD  &ueen 
toanDereD  tlje  totyole  Rummer 
anD  of  tl)e  ^jDla^  of  ^ar^  tljat 

in  t^je  Spinsftcr      .        »        »    135 

CHAPTER  XII 


f  tlie  iloDge  of 

maDe  b^  fyt  g>ea  «        *        »       «    145 


CHAPTER  XIII 


t^e  Coming  of  &it  (Sillesf    «        .     159 

7 


CONTENTS 
CHAPTER   XIV 


PAGE 


f  tlje  &ueen'$  ^outfetoiferi?,  ano  ijoto 
tlje   &ing   cartoeD    011    Banner   of 

for  to  use        *       *       *    171 

CHAPTER  XV 


f  tlje   C^urltgl)   ^nigl)t   tljac 
atoai?  tlje  €iueen,  ano  ^oto  tlje  ili 

»       »    183 


CHAPTER  XVI 
tlje  ^afetng  of  tlje  femg*0  ^arDen    195 


CHAPTER  XVII 


f  ttje  Return  of  £>tr  (Sillesf  anD  to^at 
befell  thereafter      »  205 

CHAPTER  XVIII 


f  tjoto  feing  ^Ibain  anD  €iueen 
0imee  toent  bacfe  to  tljeir  ^tngoom, 
ano  of  prmte  H;uglje0  .  ,  »  217 


CONTENTS 
CHAPTER   XIX 

PAGE 

Ijoto  &ing  ^plfcam  ana  &ueen 
returned  to  ttje  jforesft  for  to 
»  •  »  »  *  »  231 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


tn  ana  €iueen  #imee 
Danceo  in  tlje  £>unstyine          Frontispiece 

PAGE 

anD  €iueen  are  refre0^t>  b^ 
tlje  Carter^  ^SEtfe         *        «        »      35 

femg  anD  €iueen  go  to  tlje  ^um# 
mtng    ......      87 

anu  dueen  Ijitie  in  tlie  ©afe 
»        »        »        »       »    127 

^ing  ano  &ueen  coofe  tljeir  §>up^ 
*        »        «        •        «        »    153 

iiueen  ant)  c^e  prince      .       *    237 


1 1 


CHAPTER   I 


met 
in  tfce  ^aroen,  anD  of 


THE  STORY  OF  KING  SYLVAIN 
AND   QUEEN  AIMEE 

CHAPTER   I 


met 
in  ttje  Garden,  ana  of  tEljeir  jrligljt 


Now  this  is  a  story  of  something  that 
happened  when  the  world  was  young,  but 
whether  that  was  long  ago  or  of  late  years  I 
cannot  say,  for  the  world  is  always  young  so 
long  as  the  feet  of  lovers  go  forth  in  the 
grass.  On  a  day  there  were  gathered  to- 
gether in  the  city  of  Wannamere  many  kings 
and  queens,  but  whether  it  was  for  jousting 
or  an  holy  feast  I  have  forgot.  There  was 
King  Jeannot  of  Lointerre,  and  Queen 
Jeanette,  and  the  King  and  Queen  of  North 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

Gardenne,  and  the  old  King  of  Nemoland, 
and  Queen  Doraine  of  Wisterniss,  and  King 
Geoffrey  of  the  Morasses,  and  Queen  Elise 
of  Villerme,  and  many  other  more.  When 
their  matter  was  finished,  and  some  had 
already  departed  to  their  own  homes,  King 
Sylvain  spake  secretly  unto  Queen  Aimee 
and  begged  her  for  pity  to  meet  him  by  the 
acacias  in  the  garden  near  the  fountain  when 
the  moon  should  rise,  and  the  Queen  bowed 
her  head  and  said  nothing,  but  much  she 
marvelled  why  he  would  have  her  go. 
More  he  spake  not,  for  many  were  listening, 
to  wit:  two  pages  that  held  the  Queen's 
train,  and  three  ladies  in  waiting  on  the  right 
hand  and  on  the  left,  also  the  Warden  of  the 
Bedchamber,  and  the  Seneschal,  Sir  Landis, 
with  other  knights  and  gentlewomen. 

So    when    dusk  was    come,  and    or   ever 
the  stars  were  lighted,  Queen  Aimee  stole 
16 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

secretly  forth  from  the  castle  and  found  her 
way  by  the  trees  of  the  garden  to  the  tryst- 
ing  place,  and  King  Sylvain  stole  forth  also, 
and  together  they  met  by  the  fountain,  and 
there  was  one  star  now  in  the  sky. 

"What  wouldst  thou?"  asked  the  Queen. 

Then  the  King  sighed  a  great  sigh  and 
stretched  himself. 

"  I  would  have  my  liberty,"  said  King 
Sylvain. 

"Art  not  free,"  asked  Queen  Aimee, 
"  and  thou  a  King  ?  " 

"  Nay,  but  a  very  bondslave,"  he  made 
answer,  as  one  wroth.  "  Watched  am  I  by 
day  and  by  night.  Never  may  I  go  forth 
but  many  follow,  never  may  I  bide  at  home 
but  all  likewise  stay.  I  may  not  read  but 
one  watcheth  me,  and  if  I  would  but  write 
a  verse,  I  must  go  for  to  sit  in  state.  A 
morsel  of  food  may  I  not  take  but  all  look 
B  17 


KING  SYLVAIN  AND   QUEEN 

on,  nor  may  I  draw  on  my  own  doublet. 
The  veriest  serf  in  my  kingdom  is  happier 
than  I,  for  he  is  free  of  his  own  hair,  but 
mine  may  I  not  touch  for  one  that  combeth 
it  for  me." 

"What  wouldst  thou  then,"  said  the 
Queen,  "  an  thy  lot  liketh  thee  not  ?  " 

"  I  would  have,"  said  the  King,  and  he 
stroked  his  beard,  "  a  garden  of  my  own 
where  I  might  dig  at  my  will.  And  there 
would  I  have  none  with  me  save  one  only, 
and  rose  and  violet  and  quince  and  peach 
also  would  I  grow  for  her  in  the  sun." 

Then  Queen  Aimee  fell  a-trembling, 
though  she  said  no  word,  and  in  the  dusk 
was  the  King  ware  of  the  beating  of  his 
own  heart. 

"  And  that  one  ? "   asked  Queen  Aimee. 

"Is  thyself,"  said  the  King,  and  he 
took  her  two  hands  in  his  and  kissed 
18 


KING  SYLVAIN  AND  QUEEN  AIMfiE 

them  many  times.  Then  the  King  wished 
greatly  that  the  moon  were  up,  for  though 
he  needed  not  its  light  to  tell  him  of  her 
beauty  he  would  fain  have  seen  whether 
she  was  angered  or  no. 

"  Alas,  that  it  may  not  be ! "  said  the 
Queen. 

"  But  wherefore  ?  "  asked  King  Sylvain. 
"Art  not  thou  also  aweary,  and  wouldst 
thou  not  fain  know  the  open  road  ? " 

"Of  a  truth,"  said  Queen  Aimee,  "it 
is  even  so  with  me." 

"  Now  am  I  glad,"  quoth  King  Sylvain. 
"Hark,  'tis  the  nightingale!"  And  in 
truth  one  sang  to  them  from  the  acacia 
tree  near  at  hand. 

It     was     the    month    when     the    young 

leaves  come  forth,  and  in   the   garden   the 

air    smelled    freshly    of    many    things    that 

grew  there.     And  for  a  time,  till  the  moon 

19 


KING  SYLVAIN  AND   QUEEN  AIMfiE 

arose  in  the  east,  they  stood  and  watched, 
for  there  was  revelling  in  the  castle,  and 
lights  moving  to  and  fro,  and  from  far 
they  heard  the  music  and  knew  that  many 
feet  danced  thereto.  Then  the  Queen 
found  her  voice  and  spake. 

"  It  were  wrong  for  us  both,"  she  said 
stoutly.  "  Thy  kingdom  is  for  thee  to 
rule  and  not  for  another." 

"  Sweetheart,"  said  the  King,  and  he 
took  her  in  his  arms,  "when  in  my  life 
have  I  had  in  anything  mine  own  way  ? 
Wish  I  one  thing,  the  Archbishop  vetoeth 
it,  or  wish  I  another,  the  Lords  say  it  may 
not  be.  'Tis  but  a  painted  figurehead  I 
am  on  the  prow  of  the  ship  of  state." 

Then  the  Queen  was  silent,  for  'tis 
marvellous  how  the  arms  of  a  man  may 
convince  a  woman  when  she  loveth,  how- 
ever secretly,  for  Queen  Aimee  loved 


20 


KING  SYLVAIN  AND   QUEEN  AL\l£E 

King  Sylvain,  though  he  knew  it  not, 
and  what  he  did  in  asking  her  thus  away 
he  only  dared,  knowing  not  the  issue. 

"  And  so,"  said  the  King,  "  this  very 
night  will  we  steal  away." 

"  An  thou  wouldst  be  free  of  thy  king- 
dom," said  Oueen  Aimee,  "why  not  call 
thy  Lords  and  the  Archbishop,  and  lay 
down  thy  crown  and  go  in  peace  ? " 

"  'Twould  be  but  another  ceremony," 
said  the  King,  "  and  that  may  I  not  abide. 
Also  must  I  win  thee  forth  to  wander  with 
me,  else  miss  I  the  joy  of  mine  escape." 

So  it  was  agreed  atween  them,  and  they 
went  back  to  the  castle,  he  to  his  chamber 
and  she  to  hers,  and  when  all  was  quiet 
and  the  torches  out,  they  met  by  the 
postern  gate.  It  chanced  that  the  King 
had  with  him  a  key,  for  it  was  his  own 
castle  and  it  hight  Durance,  and  the 

21 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfcE 

warden  was  asleep,  so  he  fitted  it  into 
the  lock,  and  breathed  not,  and  it  turned, 
and  behold !  they  felt  the  grass  beneath 
their  feet.  Then  they  looked  and  saw 
the  castle  standing  dark  with  turret  and 
tower  against  the  sky,  and  were  glad  to 
be  outside.  The  Queen  had  borrowed 
a  gown  from  one  of  her  waiting  women 
and  had  left  a  jewel  in  its  place,  and  the 
King  was  clad  in  a  squire's  dress. 

"'Tis  the  first  time  I  have  clothed  myself," 
said  the  King,  "  and  my  buckles  be  wrong." 

"  I  will  right  them  for  thee,"  said  the 
Queen,  so  she  felt  and  set  right  the  buckles 
at  his  throat,  but  her  hands  trembled  as 
for  fear. 

So  King  Sylvain  and  Queen  Aimee 
went  forth  alone  on  the  highway  in  the 
night,  and  by  this  the  light  of  the  moon 
had  hidden  the  light  of  the  stars. 

22 


CHAPTER   II 

tlje  feing  ano  ttje  ihteen  toent 
in  ti)t  ^igljti  ano  Ijoto  W$w  roue  toit^i 
Carter 


CHAPTER   II 

J?oto  tije  fting  ana  tlje  &ueen  toent  ontoaru 
in  tlje  ^igljt,  ana  Ijoto  ®\)ty  roDe  foitlj  tlje 
Carter 

"  WHITHER  fare  we  ?  "  asked  the  Queen, 
when  it  was  dawn,  or  ever  the  sun  ariseth, 
and  toward  the  east  there  was  red  in  the 
sky. 

"  That  know  I  not,"  said  the  King,  mer- 
rily. "  I  would  go  as  the  leaf  goeth,  over 
the  down  afore  the  wind.  Listen  how  the 
birds  waken  among  the  leaves  !  " 

All  that  night  had  they  travelled  to  one 
step  on  the  highway,  nor  were  they  weary 
at  the  crowing  of  the  cock.  Nor  King 
nor  Queen  had  known  afore  the  touch  of 
the  night  wind  under  the  stars,  for  they  be 
27 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfcE 

much  shut  within  stone  walls,  and  I  have 
heard  say  that  both  windows  and  beds  be 
heavily  curtained  with  rich  stuffs.  Ever  the 
King  whistled  as  he  went,  and  the  Queen 
now  and  then  sang  a  snatch  of  song. 

"  Now  that  I  find  that  I  have  the  legs  of 
a  man,  I  marvel  much  that  I  went  so  long 
through  the  motions  of  a  puppet,"  said  the 
King,  and  he  stretched  his  legs  upon  the 
road. 

How  old  they  were  I  may  not  tell,  but 
years  enough  had  they  known  to  see  the 
wishes  of  their  hearts  go  astray.  For  glad 
hours  had  they  waited  and  had  waited  in 
vain.  Children  they  were  not,  but  if  there 
were  grey  hairs  at  the  King's  temples,  I  dare 
not  say  it,  nor  would  any  other  romancer, 
for  all  think  that  joy  cometh  but  in  youth, 
and  though  I  wot  better  I  put  it  not  in  my 
tales. 

28 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

Anon  sunlight  came  over  the  hill  to  east- 
ward, and  fell  on  the  Queen's  face,  and  it 
was  sudden  sorrowful,  and  sorrow  fitted  not 
well  upon  it,  for  it  was  all  too  fair.  To  the 
King  she  spake,  laying  her  hand  upon  his 
arm. 

"  Thou  hast  left  all  to  go  forth  with  me. 
Will  it  never  repent  thee  ? " 

"  Nay,"  said  the  King. 

"  But  rich  clothes  and  soft  beds  hast  thou 
left  behind  thee,  and  a  king's  food,  and  thou 
hast  nothing  save  only  me." 

"  There  be  grass  and  sweet  branches  of 
pine  for  sleeping,"  said  the  King,  "and  my 
garments  please  me  well,  nor  are  stiff  with 
buckram  and  with  cloth  of  silk,"  but  of  her 
he  said  nothing,  and  the  Queen  marvelled 
thereat. 

"Wilt  thou  not  feel  the  lack  of  all 
bending  before  thee  ? "  asked  the  Queen. 
29 


KING  SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIM&E 

"  There  be  many  ceremonies  at  a  king's 
court." 

"  Loathly  to  me  be  they  all,"  said  King 
Sylvain,  "both  crownings  and  christenings 
and  the  feasts  of  high  days." 

"  There  be  fair  ladies  there  a-many,"  said 
the  Queen.  "  Shalt  not  miss  them  ?  " 

Then  the  King  laughed  aloud. 

"  The  fair  ladies  of  my  court  and  the 
peacocks  of  my  garden  can  I  spare,"  said 
the  King,  "  both  them  and  their  voices, 
which  be  much  alike." 

"But  thy  jester  and  thy  counsellor,"  — 

"  Henceforward  am  I  mine  own  jester  and 
mine  own  counsellor,"  said  King  Sylvain. 
"  Naught  ask  I  save  the  charm  of  wander- 
ing feet,  and  the  drip  of  summer  rain  on 
the  leaves,  and  the  warmth  of  summer  sun. 
I  would  have  in  my  nostrils  the  fragrance 
of  roses  that  we  pass  but  once  and  smell  not 
3° 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

again.  I  would  feel  about  me  the  touch  and 
dip  of  wings  that  travel  farther  than  we." 

"  Thou  art  a  very  poet,"  said  the  Queen. 

Now  came  one  driving  in  a  cart  wherein 
he  gathered  grass  that  was  fresh  and  green. 

"  God  save  ye,"  said  the  carter. 

"And  thee,"  said  King  and  Queen. 

"  Do  ye  travel  far  ? "  asked  the  man. 

"Ay,"  answered  King  Sylvain,  "as  far 
as  the  heart  desireth." 

"  I  could  give  ye  a  lift,"  said  the  man, 
"  for  the  woman  is  weary." 

So  King  Sylvain  and  Queen  Aimee 
clambered  into  the  cart,  and  it  was  of  blue 
colour,  such  as  ye  may  see  to-day.  And 
ever  the  carter  watched  them,  if  that  he 
might  from  their  clothing  make  out  their 
state.  The  King  wore  doublet  and  hose  of 
scarlet,  and  he  had  also  a  mantle  of  grey 
lined  with  the  same  colour;  and  the  Queen 
31 


KING  SYLVAIN  AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

had  a  dress  of  blue  colour,  and  her  man- 
tle was  deeper  blue ;  also  her  bodice  was 
sewn  with  pearls,  and  on  her  hair  was  a 
net,  cunningly  wrought  of  silver  and  set 
with  emeralds. 

"  Whither  wend  ye  ? "  asked  the  man. 

"  Friend,"  said  the  King,  "  we  be  running 
away." 

"  So  methought,"  he  answered  shrewdly ; 
"  ye  go  for  to  be  wed  ? " 

Then  the  King  laughed  aloud  at  his 
wit,  and  the  Queen  with  him. 

"Ay,"  said  King  Sylvain,  "we  go  to  be 
wed." 

So  they  rode  with  the  carter,  and  he  took 
them  to  his  own  home,  which  was  a  small 
hut  of  grey  stone.  And  they  sat  outside 
on  a  bench  near  a  trellis  of  red  roses,  and 
did  eat  bread  and  drink  ale  which  Moll, 
his  wife,  bare  them. 

32 


CHAPTER    III 
tlje  booing  of  ilueen 


3Tf)e  Itmg  anti  <©ueen  are  refregfteli  fog  tf)£  Carter's  OEtfe. 

35 


CHAPTER   III 
ttje  Mooing  of  €hieen  #ime 


IN  the  morning  as  they  parted  from 
the  carter's  house,  they  had  great  cheer, 
and  he  told  them  of  an  holy  man  that 
was  an  hermit  and  abode  not  far  on  the 
edge  of  a  wood. 

"  Him  may  ye  have  to  wed  ye,"  said 
the  man. 

Then  the  King  smiled  not  nor  said  a 
word,  and  when  the  Queen  looked  into 
his  face  he  looked  not  at  her  again,  but 
took  the  road  with  his  head  bent  down  as 
one  who  thinketh,  but  may  not  say.  So 
they  walked  along  by  the  wayside  where  the 
grass  was  green  ;  and  hard  by  the  road  was 
37 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIM&E 

a  stream  of  water  where  white  poplar  trees 
grew  all  a-row,  and  their  leaves  made  with 
the  water  a  little  sound.  Then  the  Queen's 
heart  was  sad,  though  the  birds  sang. 

"  Go  we  to  the  holy  man  to  be  wed  ? " 
she  asked  of  the  King,  and  she  smiled 
upon  him. 

"Nay,"  he  answered,  and  he  hove  a 
great  sigh,  but  answered  not  her  smile. 

"  Sweetheart,"  said  the  Queen,  "  there 
is  that  troubleth  thee,  and  I  would  fain 
know  it." 

"  It  is  naught,"  said  the  King,  and  he 
fell  a-jesting,  but  his  jests  came  not  from 
the  heart  but  from  the  lips  only,  and  the 
Queen  knew  it,  as  is  the  way  of  women 
when  they  love. 

"  Dost  fear  that  they  may  come  after 
us  ? "  said  the  Queen ;  "  for  any  minute 
may  we  be  taken." 

38 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN  AIM&E 

"That  is  truth,"  answered  the  King, 
"but  I  fear  them  not." 

Then  the  Queen  fell  behind  and  trod  after 
King  Sylvain  in  the  dust  of  the  highway, 
and  stepped  where  the  print  of  his  feet  lay 
and  pondered,  but  the  King  marked  it  not. 
And  presently  she  went  to  him  and  laid 
her  hand  upon  him,  and  stayed  his  steps. 

"In  what  have  I  vexed  thee  ? "  asked 
the  Queen,  softly. 

"  Forsooth,  in  nothing,"  quoth  the  King. 

"  But  thou  art  sad,"  said  Queen  Aimee, 
"and  meseems  the  lot  thou  hast  chosen 
liketh  thee  no  better  than  that  whereto 
thou  wast  born." 

"  Nay,  and  I  like  it  dearly,"  answered 
the  King. 

"  Then    have  I  truly  offended,  for  none 
other  hath  come  a-nigh    thee.       Surely  am 
I  the  cause  of  thy  grief." 
39 


KING  SYLVAIN  AND   QUEEN  AIMfiE 

"Yea,"  said    the  King,  "that  art  thou." 

"Then  tell  me,"  said  the  Queen,  "and 
I  will  mend  my  ways." 

"  Naught  is  there  to  mend  in  thee," 
answered  the  King.  "  It  is  I  that  have 
done  thee  wrong,  and  sore  it  repenteth 
me." 

"  Tell  me  thy  meaning,"  said  Queen 
Aimee,  "  for  I  am  but  a  woman  and  under- 
stand not." 

"I  wot  well,"  said  the  King,  "that  I 
have  done  thee  a  mischief  in  bringing 
thee  away,  for  all  have  I  taken  from  thee, 
and  naught  have  I  left." 

Now  the  Queen's  eyes  were  full  of 
wonder,  and  they  were  grey  eyes,  and  her 
face  was  very  fair  and  fresh  where  the  wind 
touched  it. 

"Thy  hair  is  of  ruddy  gold,"  said  the 
King  of  a  sudden. 

4o 


KING  SYLVAIN  AND  QUEEN  AIM£E 

"  More  would  I  know,"  said  the  Queen, 
"  of  thy  cause  for  sorrow.  Came  I  not 
gladly  after  thee  ?  " 

"  Nay,  but  I  fear  me,'  answered  the 
King.  "  Didst  not  come  for  my  bidding 
and  not  for  love  ?  " 

Then  the  Queen  laughed  out  by  the 
roadside. 

"Of  a  truth  there  was  short  time  for  woo- 
ing," said  Queen  Aimee.  "  If  thou  wouldst 
know,  sit  we  down  here  on  this  green  bank." 

So  they  sat  them  down  on  the  grass 
by  the  water  side. 

"Verily  I  know  not  the  way  of  a  man 
with  a  maiden,"  said  the  King,  sorrowfully, 
"  being  a  puppet  and  no  man.  What  doth 
one  that  would  woo  ?  " 

"He  singeth  beneath  her  window,"  said 
the  Queen. 

"  Here  be  no  windows,  Gesu  be 
41 


KING  SYLVAIN  AND  QUEEN  AIM&E 

praised,"  said  the  King,  "  but  methinks  I 
could  make  out  to  sing." 

So  he  sang  her  sweet  songs  that  were 
set  in  rhyme,  and  one  was  of  a  page  that 
loved  a  king's  daughter,  and  one  of  a 
prince  that  wooed  a  shepherd  maid,  and 
the  birds  that  were  building  a  nest  in  the 
tree  above  them  sang  with  him,  but  Queen 
Aimee  answered  nothing. 

"  What  else  doth  a  lover  if  song  availeth 
not  ? "  asked  the  King. 

"  He  writeth  letters,"  said  the  Queen, 
"in  which  he  telleth  his  love,  and  oft 
they  be  writ  in  verse." 

"  But  an  if  he  have  no  scroll  ? "  said 
the  King. 

"  He    maketh    one,"    said    the    Queen, 

• 

"  from    the    bark     of    a   tree,    and    writeth 
upon    it,   and   sendeth    it,    and    despaireth 
until  the  answer  come." 
42 


KING  SYLVAIN  AND  QUEEN  AIMfiE 

The  King  had  with  him  a  knife  that  was 
used  for  hunting,  and  he  rose,  and  stripped 
white  bark  from  a  birch  tree  that  grew  a-nigh ; 
and  for  that  he  had  no  ink,  he  pricked  let- 
ters in  it  with  the  point  of  the  knife  and  gave 
it  to  the  Queen,  and  when  she  had  read  it, 
her  face  grew  all  rosy  like  the  sky  of  a  morn- 
ing ;  but  what  was  there  written  I  cannot  tell, 
for  the  Queen  thrust  the  roll  into  the  bosom 
of  her  gown  and  no  man  hath  ever  seen  it. 

"  Methinks  thou  writest  swiftly  for  a 
poet,"  said  the  Queen. 

"'Twas  a  verse  I  made  long  ago,"  an- 
swered the  King. 

"  And  for  whom  ?  "  asked  Queen  Aimee, 
and  she  wore  the  look  of  one  angered. 

"For  thyself,"  said  the  King,  "but 
what  answer  ? " 

"An  answer  requireth  waiting,"  said  the 
Queen,  and  she  looked  not  toward  him. 
43 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

"  Now  of  what  else  to  do  make  I  no 
question,"  said  the  King,  and  he  threw 
himself  on  the  grass  at  the  Queen's  feet 
and  kissed  the  hem  of  her  robe.  "  An 
these  means  avail  not,  I  must  try  others," 
and  by  this  he  kissed  her  hand. 

"  Nay,  thou  art  a  forward  lover,"  said 
the  Queen.  "  What  wouldst  thou  ? " 

"  I  would  know  if  thou  didst  come 
after  me  of  thine  own  free  will,"  he  made 
answer. 

"And  if  I  did  not?"  asked  Queen 
Aimee. 

"Then  tell  me,  and  thou  shalt  go  back 
to  thy  throne  and  thine  own  kingdom," 
said  King  Sylvain. 

"  Doth  it  greatly  matter  ? "  quoth  the 
Queen. 

"By  my  life  but  thou  tormentest  me!" 
cried  the  King.  "An  thou  love  me,  tell 
44 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   ALMEE 

me,  and  if  thou  love  me  not,  make  it 
known ;  for  my  heart  is  set  upon  thee,  and 
there  is  naught  else  in  all  the  world  of 
which  it  is  ware." 

Then  the  hands  of  the  Queen  touched 
the  King's  face  and  stroked  it,  and  there 
was  love  in  her  fingers  and  the  King 
knew. 

"  I  have  loved  thee  ever,"  said  the 
Queen  Aimee. 

"  Nay,  but  I  knew  it  not,"  said  the 
King.  "  And  dost  love  me  now  of  thine 
own  free  will  and  not  of  my  compel- 
ling?" 

"Whose  will  should  it  be?"  asked  Queen 
Aimee.  "  None  bade  me  love  thee,  and 
none  bade  me  follow  thee  forth,  but  rather 
would  I  rags  with  thee  and  a  crust  to  bite 
than  all  the  rich  clothing  and  the  savoury 
morsels  of  Christendom." 
45 


KING  SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN 

"  Now  are  we  as  free  and  as  glad  as 
the  birds  above  us  that  choose  as  they 
will  each  one  his  mate,"  said  the  King, 
"  and  or  night  cometh  go  we  to  the  holy 
man  to  be  wed." 


46 


CHAPTER   IV 


H?oto  &ing  ^Ibatn  ana  £htent  &tm&  toere 
by  tl)e  l^oly  span,  ano  of  t^e 


49 


CHAPTER   IV 


ana  &ueen  #imee  toere 
bp  t^ie  J?ol£  span,  ana  of  t\)t 


So  they  fareci  onward  and  at  evensong 
were  they  ware  of  an  hermitage  by  the  side 
of  a  great  wood,  and  they  came  upon  an  aged 
man  who  prayed  at  a  cross  hard  by.  And 
when  he  had  finished  and  came  toward  them, 
they  saw  that  his  beard  was  long  and  white, 
for  he  was  nigh  fourscore  winters  old. 

"Ye  be  welcome,  fair  sir  and  gentle  lady," 
said  the  Hermit. 

"Art  not  a  priest  of  Holy  Church?" 
asked  King  Sylvain,  when  he  had  given  him 
greeting. 

"  Yea,"  answered  the  aged  man,  "  that 
am  I." 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

"  We  be  fugitives,"  said  the  King, 
"and  are  man  and  woman  that  would  be 
wed." 

"God  save  ye,"  said  the  Hermit.  "And 
whence  came  ye?  Ye  be  people  of  the 
Court,  as  I  guess  by  your  apparel." 

"  That  were  we,"  answered  the  King,  "  but 
we  be  it  no  longer,  for  by  God's  grace  will 
we  seek  out  a  spot  where  we  may  dig  and 
delve  for  ourselves." 

"  Now  by  all  the  saints,"  quoth  the  holy 
man,  and  he  spake  in  a  little  voice  that  was 
weak  and  thin,  "  I  be  more  than  threescore 
years  and  ten,  and  never  yet  did  I  see  one 
that  would  dig  an  he  were  not  constrained 
to  do  it.  Or  have  ye  done  some  wrong 
that  ye  be  driven  forth  ? " 

"  No  wrong  have  we  done,"  said  the 
King. 

"  But  an  if  ye  will  enter,"  said  the  Her- 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIM&E 

mit,  "  I  will  wed  ye  fast  together,  for  me- 
thinks  it  were  better  to  do  it  than  to  let 
it  go." 

"  And  why  not  here  ? "  said  the  King, 
"for  the  air  smelleth  right  freshly  and  God 
wot  I  have  had  little  enough  of  it  since 
the  day  that  I  was  born." 

So  the  Hermit  went  to  his  lodge  for  his 
book,  and  he  said  the  holy  words  over  them 
under  an  oak  tree,  and  it  was  eventide,  and 
red  light  shone  through  the  green  leaves 
that  were  yet  young  and  thin. 

"  Whither  ye  wend  I  know  not,"  said 
the  Hermit,  "but  bide  ye  here  for  the 
night,  for  my  roof,  though  it  be  low, 
giveth  shelter,  and  there  be  wild  beasts 
abroad." 

"That  will  we  gladly,"  answered  the 
King,  "  but  first  would  we  walk  for  a  time 
in  the  forest,  for  the  trees  are  such  as  I 
53 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

have  not   seen,  and   the   flowers   underfoot 
are  passing  sweet." 

So  they  went  hand  in  hand  into  the  forest. 

"Of  a  truth,"  said  King  Sylvain,  "it 
was  not  so  when  I  wedded  thee  in  the 
minster,  nor  wert  thou  half  so  fair,  my 
Queen." 

"  And  methought  thou  didst  answer 
to-night  more  gladly,"  said  Queen  Aimee. 

"What  wouldst  thou?"  said  the  King; 
"for  I  knew  thee  not,  and  I  wedded  but 
thy  train  and  thy  peacock  feathers.  Now 
have  I  wedded  thy  very  self." 

"  Hark  to  the  chirping  of  the  birds ! " 
said  the  Queen,  "  and  there  be  young  things 
in  the  pools  that  call  to  one  another.  Me- 
thinks  all  things  in  the  forest  have  been 
freshly  wedded  like  to  us." 

And  with  that  he  bent  and  kissed  her 
on  the  mouth. 

54 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN  AIMEE 

"  Now  tell  me,"  said  the  King.  "  What 
didst  thou  know  of  me  in  the  years  we 
have  reigned  together  ?  " 

"  I  knew  that  thy  robe  was  furred,  and 
that  there  were  many  jewels  on  thy  breast," 
answered  the  Queen.  "  Also  thy  face  said 
nothing,  but  was  as  the  face  of  one  that 
weareth  a  mask." 

"  Yet  went  my  heart  out  to  thee  ever," 
quoth  King  Sylvain,  "only,  free  speech  could 
I  never  have  of  thee  for  them  that  guarded 
us  and  served  our  need.  And  whenever 
I  would  have  come  to  thee  was  I  con- 
strained, for  methought  'twas  but  the  de- 
sire of  the  Lords  and  of  the  Archbishop 
that  had  brought  us  together,  nor  would 
I  force  my  will  upon  thee,  so  have  I  ever 
left  thee  free." 

When  the  Queen  knew  of  his  love,  and 
how  he  had  kept  from  her  all  those  years 
55 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

because  of  it,  she  was  well-nigh    to   weep- 
ing. 

"  Therein  wast  thou  a  true  knight  and 
a  courteous,"  said  the  Queen,  "and  yet 
hast  thou  done  me  great  wrong,  for  long 
did  I  wait  for  thy  footstep  and  it  came  not." 

Now  when  all  was  known  atween  them 
they  made  much  ado,  for  it  was  a  tale  of 
love  such  as  no  poet  had  sung,  and  none 
like  to  it  have  I  ever  heard,  yet  have  I 
read  all  that  ever  was  wrote.  So  they 
wandered  in  the  forest  till  the  stars  were 
out,  for  they  saw  them  between  the  leaved 
branches  of  the  trees,  and  they  went  back 
to  the  hermitage,  and  as  they  drew  near 
they  heard  the  far  sound  of  hoofs  gallop- 
ing, and  the  noise  of  bells. 

"  Hist ! "  said  the  King,  and  he  listened 
with  his  finger  on  his  lip.     "  But  they  go 
farther  and  come  not  near." 
56 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

"  They  be  horsemen,"  said  the  holy  man, 
"  from  Wannamere,  and  they  seek  their 
King  and  Queen  that  be  gone,  and  whether 
they  have  been  stolen  away  or  have  fled 
of  their  own  will  none  know." 

"  Prithee,  why  should  King  and  Queen 
flee  ? "  asked  Queen  Aimee,  for  the  King 
was  stricken  dumb. 

"  So  said  I,"  answered  the  Hermit. 
"  They  inquired  of  me  if  I  had  seen  aught 
of  them,  but  I  told  them  nay,  for  only 
one  man  and  one  woman  had  I  seen  this 
two  month.  c  Came  they  together  ? '  they 
asked,  and  I  answered,  c  Yea.'  *  Were  they 
apparelled  royally  ? '  said  they  further. 
*  Nay,'  I  answered,  c  but  as  them  that 
serve.'  Then  said  one  knight  that  bare  a 
red  shield  and  a  lion  thereon :  *  It  could 
still  be  they  in  borrowed  garments.' 
'  These  twain  came  to  be  wedded,'  I  an- 
57 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

swered.  '  Ah  !  '  said  the  knight,  sorrow- 
fully, c  'tis  not  them  we  seek,  for  they  be 
wedded  already,'  so  they  rode  away." 

Then  the  Hermit  bare  them  bread  and 
meat,  for  he  fasted  not  every  day,  but  ever 
kept  provision  in  the  house,  and  as  they 
ate  by  the  light  of  a  taper,  he  went  secretly 
to  a  place  in  the  ground  and  brought  a 
bottle  of  red  wine  and  set  before  them. 

"  'Tis  a  little  that  I  keep  for  sickness," 
said  the  holy  man.  So  they  sat  long,  and 
told  tales  and  were  merry,  and  they  slept 
that  night  where  fern  smelleth  sweet. 


CHAPTER   V 

tlje  ilton  tfjat  came  against  Client  m 
tlje  forest 


CHAPTER   V 
tije  JLion  tljat  came  against  Sljem  in 


IT  befell  the  next  day  that  they  went  on 
their  way  through  the  forest,  for  it  was  a 
great  wood,  and  exceeding  dark,  and  there 
were  paths  here  and  there.  Naught  bare 
they  with  them  save  a  wallet  wherein  the 
holy  man  had  placed  bread  and  wine,  and 
the  King  had  a  great  oaken  staff  that  he 
had  cut  from  a  tree  and  had  shaped  while 
that  the  Hermit  told  them  tales.  They 
went  gladly,  for  they  were  bound  no- 
whither  save  to  follow  the  joy  of  their 
feet,  and  to  keep  in  hiding  from  them 
that  followed,  for  they  dread  sore  that 
they  might  be  found.  Green  moss  grew 
61 


KING   SYLVAIN    AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

soft  under  their  feet,  and  the  shadows  of 
oak  leaves  and  beech  made  a  checkered 
shade,  and  it  fell  on  the  Queen's  hair, 
and  many  sweet  words  passed  between 
them. 

When  the  shadows  of  the  tree  trunks 
showed  that  it  was  noon,  for  the  King  was 
an  huntsman  and  learned  in  woodcraft,  they 
sat  them  down  and  reposed  them  on  the 
roots  of  a  beech  tree.  Over  them  the  beech 
leaves  made  a  golden  canopy  where  the  sun 
shone  through  the  green,  and  behind  them 
the  grey  trunk  was  wondrous  fair,  flecked 
with  silver  moss.  There  is  that  about  a 
beech  trunk  that  differeth  from  all  other, 
and  I  have  ever  thought  there  be  strange 
and  lovely  tales  writ  thereon  for  one  who 
could  read.  Right  so  as  they  sat  there 
and  did  eat  and  drink,  a  fawn  came  to 
them  from  the  wood  and  gazed  at  them 
62 


KING   SYLVAIN    AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

with  great  eyes.  Its  legs  were  all  a-trem- 
ble,  yet  it  was  for  eagerness  and  not 
for  fear,  for  men  it  had  never  beheld, 
and  it  knew  not  King  and  Queen  from 
friendly  beast.  Then  the  Queen  called 
it  to  her  and  stroked  it,  and  the  King 
marked  that  its  eyes  were  even  as  hers, 
but  bread  would  it  not  eat  for  love  of 
the  young  green  leaves,  nor  would  it 
follow.  As  they  wandered  they  lost  their 
path  and  were  mazed  in  the  tangle  of 
hazel  and  oak,  yet  they  cared  not,  for 
they  set  their  feet  where  no  man  had 
ever  been  since  the  making  of  the  world, 
and  birds  came  freely  to  them  and  lighted 
on  shoulder  or  hand,  as  the  thrush  and 
the  song-sparrow,  and  other  more  that  I 
know  not,  for  never  ran  I  loose  in  the 
wood.  So  it  befell  that  they  recked  not 
that  time  was  passing,  and  of  a  sudden 
63 


KING  SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN 

they  heard  a  great  roar.  Very  terrible  it 
was,  and  the  King,  for  all  his  hunting, 
had  known  naught  like  it,  and  he  drew 
the  Queen  toward  him,  but  knew  not 
on  which  side  to  stand  afore  her,  for  the 
roaring  was  so  loud  they  could  not  tell 
whence  it  came.  Then  they  saw  coming 
upon  them  a  lioness  that  was  great  and 
fierce.  Tawny  were  breast  and  back,  and 
all  shaggy,  and  the  open  mouth  where- 
with she  roared  was  red.  The  King  felt 
for  his  sword  and  cursed  him  for  a  fool 
in  that  he  had  left  it  at  home  and  had 
fared  forth  with  no  weapon.  Ever  the 
beast  came  nearer  with  low  growls  and  with 
roars,  so  that  the  Queen  burst  out  weep- 
ing and  cried,  "Alack  and  well-a-day,  we 
are  as  good  as  dead ! " 

"Nay,"    said    the    King,    "go    stand   by 
yon  tree  and  watch    me,"    and    the    Queen 
64 


KING  SYLVAIN  AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

went.  Then  he  gripped  his  oaken  staff 
and  stood  ready,  and  eyed  the  beast 
which  came  on  toward  him  with  eyes 
glowing  like  coals.  Straight  on  she  came 
and  at  him,  but  the  King  slipped  behind 
a  tree,  so  that  she  well-nigh  fastened  her 
claws  in  it,  whereat  she  was  beside  her- 
self and  came  round  it  and  gave  a  mighty 
spring.  Then  he  held  fast  his  staff,  and  as 
she  came  he  gave  her  a  great  blow  on  the 
forehead,  so  that  the  woods  echoed  back 
the  noise,  and  she  was  well-nigh  stunned. 
But  while  she  stood  there  was  a  noise  of 
whimpering  near  at  hand,  and  from  the 
wood  three  cubs  came  to  her,  tawny  like 
herself,  and  her  senses  came  back,  and 
she  rose  against  the  King  with  tenfold 
strength.  Now  I  saw  not  the  battle,  nor 
if  I  had  could  I  tell  it  as  it  was,  but  I 
have  heard  say  that  it  was  the  mightiest 
65 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN    AIMEE 

battle  ever  fought  atwixt  man  and  beast. 
Naught  had  the  King  save  his  staff 
and  his  right  arm,  but  when  the  lioness 
fastened  upon  him  he  beat  her  off,  and 
with  his  hands  round  her  neck  would 
have  choked  the  life  out  of  her  save  that 
she  gave  a  great  wrench  and  pulled  her 
head  away  and  roared  again,  so  that  the 
Queen  was  well-nigh  fainting.  Then  the 
beast  fastened  her  claws  in  his  shoulder 
and  tore  him,  so  that  the  blood  ran 
down,  and  when  she  smelled  it  she  was 
ten  times  fiercer  than  before,  and  would 
have  finished  him  but  that  he  got  his 
right  arm  free,  and  held  the  staff  in  it, 
and  gave  a  mighty  stroke  on  the  back 
of  her  neck  where  the  head  joins  the 
body,  and  she  fell  back  dead.  Then  the 
King  sank  down  fainting  from  loss  of 
blood  and  the  Queen  rushed  to  him,  and 
66 


KING   SYLVAIN    AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

at  first  she  thought  life  had  gone  out  of 
him,  but  it  was  not  so.  So  she  hasted 
and  brought  water,  for  there  was  a  spring 
hard  by  and  water  bubbling  therein,  and 
washed  his  face  and  his  wound,  and  his 
eyes  opened  and  he  smiled  at  her,  but  no 
word  could  he  say  for  a  time.  And  ever 
the  cubs  whimpered  over  the  body  of 
their  dead  dam. 

"  Love,  thou  art  sore  wounded,"  said 
Queen  Aimee,  and  she  held  his  head  upon 
her  bosom. 

"  Blessed  be  the  wound  that  bringeth 
my  head  to  its  resting  place,"  said  King 
Sylvain. 

So  they  stayed  that  night  there,  and  the 
Queen  made  a  great  fire  with  leaves  and  dry 
branches,  and  she  struck  a  spark  with  a  flint 
stone,  and  the  King  lay  on  a  bed  of  moss, 
for  he  was  weak  yet  and  his  wound 
67 


KING   SYLVAIN    AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

stinted  not.  Now  the  wood  was  full  of 
wild  creatures,  but  none  came  against  them 
in  the  night,  and  mayhap  it  was  the  fire, 
for  I  have  heard  that  this  keepeth  beasts 
away.  But  I  have  heard  also,  or  read  in 
an  heathen  book,  and  I  dare  say  it,  though 
I  be  one  of  Holy  Church,  that  there  is  a 
god  that  doth  naught  save  to  watch  over 
lovers,  and  I  ween  he  kept  all  harm  from 
these  twain,  for  since  the  world  began 
there  were  never  lovers  that  loved  as 
they. 


68 


CHAPTER   VI 

1)003  tljf  uotinD  pursufQ  ana  fount) 
anD  of  tlje  ^antle  tijnt  iua0  maftr  of  tljr 
tlton'0 


CHAPTER  VI 

tlje  OounD  pursurD  an&  fouuD 
ant)  of  tl;c  spantle  tljat  toa0  niaDc  of 
tlion'0 


WHILE  Queen  Aimee  still  slept  on  the 
moss,  the  King  was  wakened  by  one  that 
licked  his  face  and  hands,  and  when  he 
opened  his  eyes  he  saw  his  hound,  Coeur 
d'Ami,  which  he  loved  as  none  other,  and 
he  gave  a  cry,  so  that  the  Queen  wakened. 

"  Now  beshrew  me  for  a  faithless  knight 
that  I  ever  left  thee  behind,"  said  King 
Sylvain,  as  the  dog  leaped  and  barked  for 
joy,  and  would  fain  lie  on  his  breast  save 
that  the  Queen  restrained  him. 

"What  lot  did  I  think  for  myself  that 
thou  wouldst  not  share  ?  "  said  the  King, 
73 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfcE 

and  he  stroked  the  hound.  Then  for  a 
moment  was  he  sorrowful,  for  he  was  loyal 
in  least  things  as  in  great. 

"Thou  hast  followed  nor  hast  ques- 
tioned if  I  wanted  thee,"  said  King  Syl- 
vain.  "  Of  a  truth  thou  art  a  very  friend." 

"  Methinks  he  bringeth  trouble,"  said  the 
Queen. 

"And  how?"  asked  the  King. 

"  Surely  they  knew  he  would  follow  thee 
and  have  watched  him,"  said  the  Queen. 
"  They  will  be  upon  us  and  find  us,  and 
will  hale  us  back  to  shut  us  again  within 
stone  walls." 

Then  the  King  laughed  aloud  as  he  lay 
sick. 

"Wit  thou  well  they  be   but  fools   that 

think  Coeur  d'Ami  will  tell  them  aught  that 

I  wish  not  known,"  said  he.     "  Even  now 

he  knoweth  that  we  would  be  hid  and  will 

74 


KING    SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

make  no  sound.  Dost  not  read  it  in  his 
eyes  ?  He  is  swifter  than  aught  else  that 
runneth  on  four  legs,  and  hath  long  out- 
stripped them  all.  He  hath  hastened  to 
ask  of  me  what  is  my  will,  and  see,  he 
promiseth  with  his  tail  that  he  will  not 
betray  us."  And  it  was  even  as  the  King 
said. 

No  great  store  of  food  had  they  in  the 
wallet,  and  the  King  and  Queen  talked 
thereof,  and  Coeur  d'Ami  listened.  None 
knoweth  what  a  dog  may  understand  of 
human  speech,  but  there  be  times  when  it 
seemeth  as  if  they  wist  all  and  more.  Anon 
the  hound  arose  and  left  them,  and  or  ever 
the  sun  was  high  he  came  back  from  the 
forest  with  a  hare  that  he  had  slain  and 
dropped  it  at  the  King's  feet,  and  by  biting 
it  in  the  throat  had  he  slain  it,  so  that  it 
had  bled  and  was  good  for  to  eat.  This  is 
75 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

passing  strange,  for  all  know  that  the  hounds 
that  pursue  the  prey  will  touch  it  not  for 
eating,  but  that  which  a  dog  will  not  do  for 
one  that  loveth  him  have  I  yet  to  learn. 
Then  the  King  rose  feebly  and  leaned  on 
one  arm  and  dressed  it,  and  the  Queen 
kindled  the  fire  afresh  and  with  a  sharp- 
ened stick  did  she  roast  it  over  the  coals, 
and  laughed  right  merrily  for  that  it  was 
burnt  in  one  spot.  And  her  face  grew 
right  rosy  on  the  left  side  and  was  cool 
on  the  other,  so  that  the  King  must  needs 
kiss  them  both.  Creur  d'Ami  lay  by  them 
as  they  ate,  and  he  panted  with  his  mouth 
held  open,  and  with  tail  and  eyes  he  told 
them  how  that  he  had  pined  after  their 
going,  nor  would  take  food  or  drink,  but 
kept  by  him  in  the  kennel  a  gauntlet  of 
the  King's,  and  held  it  between  his  paws, 
and  snuffed  it  ever,  and  would  have  sick- 
76 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN    AIMEE 

ened  but  that  they  set  him  free  to  follow. 
Much,  but  not  all,  the  King  understood,  for 
it  is  strange  that  man,  with  all  his  strength, 
hath  not  the  understanding  of  a  dog. 

So  all  that  day  they  abode  there  by  the 
spring,  and  the  King's  strength  came 
slowly  to  him,  and  much  he  slept,  while 
the  Queen  held  his  head  in  her  lap,  and 
stroked  brow  and  hair,  so  that  the  King 
dreamed  he  was  in  Paradise,  and  wore 
white  with  all  the  saints,  but  waked  again, 
and  liked  it  better  so.  Nor  would  Coeur 
d'Ami  let  the  Queen  come  nearer  the 
King  than  he,  but  stayed  ever  close  with 
his  paw  on  the  King's  breast,  for  though 
he  had  been  long  with  them,  he  had  never 
seen  them  thus  together,  and  watched  to 
see  that  all  was  well. 

Another  night  they  abode  there  by  the 
spring,  and  ever  the  bright  flame  leaped 
77 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

up  against  the  soft,  darkling  shadow  of  the 
wood,  and  naught  troubled  them  all  the 
night  through,  but  in  the  moments  twixt 
drowsing  and  waking  they  heard  the  chirp 
of  sleepy  birds.  In  the  morning  Coeur 
d'Ami  went  and  gat  them  a  bird  of  the 
kind  that  runs  along  the  ground,  and  it  is 
hight  partridge,  and  it  tasted  right  savoury 
when  it  was  cooked  over  the  coals. 

Now  was  the  King's  arm  stronger,  and 
he  took  his  knife  and  skinned  the  lioness 
that  he  had  slain,  and  spread  before  the 
Queen  the  great  fell  that  v/as  tawny  of 
colour  and  liked  her  mightily. 

"We  have  need  of  a  carpet  in  the  house 
that  we  shall  make,"  said  King  Sylvain. 

"  And  where  may  that  be  ? "  asked  the 
Queen. 

"  Where  God  wills,"  he  made  answer. 
"When  we  come  to  a  place  that  pleaseth 
78 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

thee  and  the  hound  and  me,  there  bide  we  for 
the  rest  of  our  lives,"  and  Coeur  d'Ami  lis- 
tened and  understood,  as  the  sequel  will  show. 

The  King  spread  the  lion  skin  on  his 
shoulders,  and  took  his  staff  in  his  hand, 
and  the  Queen  followed  after,  but  the 
hound  ran  on  afore,  and  so  they  took  their 
way  through  the  forest  till  they  found  a 
path,  and  followed  it,  and  it  led  to  a  clearing. 

"  Dare  we  go  forth  ? "  asked  Queen 
Aimee,  as  they  stood  at  the  edge  of  the 
wood,  and  were  loath  to  leave  it.  "There 
be  that  follow  us." 

"  Ay,  that  dare  we,"  answered  the  King, 
"  for  there  be  ways  that  we  shall  find  to 
give  them  the  slip." 

Then  the  Queen  laughed  aloud  as  he 
went  forth  with  the  lion  skin  and  the 
cudgel,  for  he  looked  like  a  wild  man  of 
the  woods. 

79 


CHAPTER   VII 


&tng  fa^lbam  and  &ueen  0tmee  toare 
of  Gftitfel  at  tlje  gumming,  anu  of 
tlje  ^pemment  thereof 


CHAPTER   VII 


$?oto  &mg  Attain  ano  &ueen  Himee  toare 
Ifcobes  of  tEinstfl  at  tlje  spummtng,  ana  of 
tlje  ^erriment  thereof 


As  they  wended  onward  with  their 
hound  they  saw  in  the  distance  a  city  that 
hight  Saint  Aleyn,  and  it  lieth  to  the 
southward  by  the  river  Ulumere,  for  ever 
they  walked  with  their  faces  toward  the 
sun.  Now,  although  they  knew  it  not, 
they  that  pursued  them  had  gone  thither, 
and  were  lodged  in  an  inn  by  the  city  gate 
to  northward.  Gaily  they  talked  of  what 
might  await  them  and  what  fare  they 
should  have  by  field  and  inn,  and  how 
they  might  outwit  them  that  pursued. 
Then  the  King  sat  him  down  on  a  stile 
that  was  in  a  fair  hedge  of  hawthorn,  and 
83 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

called   the   hound  unto   him,  and  spake  to 
him  thus :  — 

"  Coeur  d'Ami,  leal  friend  and  true,  they 
that  sent  thee  after  us  would  have  thee 
come  again  to  tell  them  where  we  be,  but 
I  would  have  it  not,  and  thou,  if  thou  seest 
them,  must  e'en  make  as  though  thou  knew- 
est  them  not."  Coeur  d'Ami  verily  under- 
stood and  laid  his  head  on  the  King's  knee, 
whimpering  as  one  who  promised  somewhat. 
Onward  they  came  to  the  north  gate  of  the 
city,  when  of  a  sudden  the  hound  stopped 
and  sniffed  the  air.  Then  held  he  his  nose 
to  the  ground,  and  anon  laid  hold  of  the 
King's  doublet  with  his  teeth  and  drew 
him  away,  and  of  a  sudden  was  the  King 
ware  that  he  had  some  reason  therefor. 
So  they  circled  the  walls  and  came  in  at 
the  western  gate  as  the  sun  went  down, 
and  the  sky  was  all  blood  red,  so  that  it 
84 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN 

touched    the    grey    walls    and    the    passing 
people  with  colour  of  crimson. 

That  night  at  the  inn  where  they 
lodged,  and  it  was  a  fair  inn  and  smelt 
freshly  of  rosemary  and  lavender,  they 
heard  talk  of  a  merry-making  for  the 
morrow,  for  it  was  the  month  of  May, 
and  the  city  ever  held  carnival  at  the  time 
of  the  springing  of  the  grain.  There  were 
many  knights  and  squires  gathered  to- 
gether at  the  inn,  and  ever  the  King  and 
Queen  watched  them,  for  never  had  they 
heard  free  converse  of  men,  and  it  pleased 
them  to  see  and  to  hear.  All  their  talk 
was  of  the  mumming  and  of  the  clothing 
they  should  wear,  for  all  put  on  strange 
habits  on  this  day  and  went  masked  in  the 
streets.  Then  when  Queen  Aimee  was 
safely  lodged  in  her  chamber,  the  King 
went  forth  and  purchased  apparel  for  them 
85 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

both,  giving  in  exchange  a  gold  piece  that 
he  ware  on  his  neck,  and  on  the  morrow, 
when  all  were  ready,  they  dressed  them- 
selves and  went  out  into  the  street  for 
the  mumming,  and  they  went  hand  in 
hand  as  do  children  that  play.  The  gar- 
ments they  had  chosen  were  those  of  king 
and  queen,  "  for  we  know  no  other  parts," 
said  King  Sylvain.  The  Queen  wore  a 
dress  of  tinsel  with  jewels  of  glass  in  her 
hair,  and  the  King  had  a  crown  of  paper, 
and  a  bauble  for  a  sceptre,  and  they  min- 
gled with  the  revellers  and  were  exceed- 
ing gay.  Afar  their  hound  watched  them 
and  his  eyes  were  as  those  of  one  that 
hath  great  care,  for  in  that  he  was  a  dog 
he  knew  not  how  the  mere  covering  of  the 
face  could  conceal  a  man,  and  he  wist 
there  was  danger  nigh.  Now  the  streets 
were  full  of  strange  creatures,  wizards  and 
86 


lattng  ant  (Hucen  50  to  tije  fHummtng. 
87 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfcE 

enchanters,  and  Saracens,  and  fairies,  and 
demons,  and  lords  and  ladies  many,  with 
jesters  and  jugglers,  but  king  and  queen 
were  there  none  other,  so  when  he  of  the 
paper  crown  appeared,  there  was  a  great 
shout  and  much  laughter.  Then  were 
King  Sylvain  and  Queen  Aimee  taken  to 
the  Palace  of  Justice  and  enthroned  there 
on  the  stone  steps,  and  all  the  revellers 
came  and  did  them  homage,  mocking,  and 
throwing  flowers  about  them,  and  unwit- 
tingly many  kissed  in  jest  the  hands  they 
had  kissed  afore  in  earnest,  for  Saint  Aleyn 
was  the  King's  own  city. 

It  befell  as  they  sat  there,  that  one  who 
was  a  young  squire  and  was  attired  as  a 
jester  came  forward  and  spake  to  King 
Sylvain,  and  said  :  — 

"  F  faith,  and  thou  playest  the  King's  part 
but  badly." 

89 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

"That  is  truth,"  quoth  King  Sylvain, 
"and  that  have  I  ever." 

"  'Tis  plain  thou  hast  never  seen  a  king," 
said  the  squire,  and  the  King  knew  him  for 
one  that  had  been  a  page  in  his  own  court. 

"  If  thou  mightst  teach  me,  perhaps  — " 
said  King  Sylvain. 

"  That  will  I  gladly,"  said  the  squire,  and 
he  gat  him  upon  the  steps  and  showed  him. 

"Thou  must  hold  thy  head  high,  thus, 
and  must  frown  mightily,  and  so  must  thou 
fold  thine  arms." 

"The  face  of  a  king  showeth  not  from 
behind  a  mask,"  said  King  Sylvain,  "  but 
my  head  and  mine  arms  will  I  hold  even 
as  thou  sayest." 

Then  the  young  squire  sware  an  oath  of 

vexation  that  his  teaching  came  so  badly  off, 

and  the  people  laughed    and  jeered    to  see 

the  fool  teach  the  King  what  he  must  do. 

90 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

"  'Tis  but  poorly  done,"  said  the  squire, 
and  he  shook  his  head  so  that  the  bells  on 
his  ears  rang  again. 

"  Henceforward  will  I  play  any  part  but 
that  of  the  King,"  said  King  Sylvain.  "'Tis 
a  hard  part." 

"That  think  not  I,"  said  the  squire. 
"  I  be  one  that  would  play  it  ever,  an  I 
could." 

Right  as  they  sat  there,  Coeur  d'Ami 
pricked  up  his  ears  and  ran  and  hid  him 
in  a  doorway,  and  the  King,  looking  up, 
saw  Sir  Leodoric  and  Sir  Geoffrey,  and 
Sir  Gilles  that  ware  the  red  shield,  and  Sir 
Bertrand,  ride  through  the  street,  and  with 
them  the  Archbishop.  Then  the  King's 
heart  beat  a  great  thump,  for  he  knew  they 
searched  for  him  and  would  carry  him  back 
to  his  throne  an  they  found  him  alive,  but 
they  knew  him  not  because  of  the  mask. 
91 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

The  King  watched  and  saw  that  the  knights 
would  have  ridden  past,  but  the  people 
gat  them,  and  with  jeers  and  laughter  made 
them  come  and  do  homage  to  their  King 
and  Queen  of  tinsel.  So  Sir  Leodoric  and 
Sir  Geoffrey  and  Sir  Gilles  and  Sir  Ber- 
trand  and  the  Archbishop  bent  the  knee 
before  them  and  kissed  their  hands  and 
made  mock  obeisance  and  rode  on. 

"  'Tis  a  yokel,  and  no  king  they  have 
there,"  said  Sir  Geoffrey,  as  he  mounted  his 
steed.  "He  giveth  his  left  hand  to  be 
kissed  and  not  his  right,"  but  the  King  had 
hidden  his  right  hand  behind  him  because 
of  the  signet  ring.  Then  came  the  hound 
and  leaped  upon  his  master,  and  for  joy 
with  the  licking  of  his  tongue  had  well- 
nigh  torn  the  covering  from  his  face.  So 
the  merry-making  lasted  through  the  noon- 
day, but  when  the  time  for  unmasking  came, 
92 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

none  could  find  the  King  and  Queen,  for 
they  had  stolen  privily  out  of  the  southern 
gate  and  were  walking  along  the  high- 
way that  lay  beaten  white  atween  green 
fields. 


93 


CHAPTER   VIII 
ijoto  ttjep  toent  eber  £>outl)toar&  anU  of  tlje 


97 


CHAPTER   VIII 
Ijoto  tl)f  £  incut  rfcrr  feoutfytaD  anD  of  tl)c 


To  southward  lay  a  great  plain  that 
was  fresh  and  green  with  young  grass,  and 
when  they  had  left  the  highway  they  found 
no  path,  and  there  were  no  trees,  only  little 
hill  and  hollow  stretched  out  softly  under 
the  sky.  Cceur  d'Ami  led  them,  and  they 
followed  laughing  and  jesting,  and  were 
glad  all  the  way  save  once  when  they  saw 
a  hind  beating  his  ass  with  a  stout  cudgel. 
This  would  the  King  not  endure  by  no 
manner  of  means,  and  he  took  the  cudgel 
in  his  hands  and  brake  it  in  two,  and  told 
the  hind  that  he  would  lay  his  own  oaken 
staff  upon  his  back  an  he  learned  not  to  be 
99 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfcE 

gentler  with  his  beast.  Then  was  the  man 
afeared  and  went  his  way  and  beat  his  ass 
no  more.  As  they  walked  onward  now  and 
then  were  they  ware  of  a  shepherd  that  kept 
his  flock  with  the  fold  hard  by,  and  one 
that  was  young  as  their  joy  would  have 
them  be  fluted  merrily  to  his  silly  sheep 
that  could  not  dance.  Then  King  Sylvain 
and  Queen  Aimee  danced  in  the  sunshine, 
and  after,  as  they  went  their  way,  the  music 
followed  them  and  they  stepped  to  it  until 
they  could  catch  it  no  longer,  but  ever  it 
went  on  though  they  might  not  hear.  Larks 
sang  in  the  blue  sky  above  them,  and  of 
the  winds  it  seemed  that  there  were  those 
that  travelled  with  them  and  those  that  met 
them  on  their  way.  Toward  evensong, 
when  their  feet  were  well-nigh  weary,  and 
the  sun  was  setting  in  golden  light  at  the 
edge  of  the  green  earth,  they  came  upon  an 


100 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

aged  Grandam  standing  in  her  garden  and 
knitting.  There  grew  rose  and  gillyflower 
and  hollyhock,  and  herbs  that  be  sweet  of 
savour,  such  as  lavender,  and  those  that  be 
good  for  healing,  as  pennyroyal  and  rue. 
When  the  Dame  lifted  her  eyes  and  saw 
them  coming  she  spake  to  them,  in  right 
friendly  wise,  and  called  them  to  sit  on  her 
threshold  and  rest  them. 

"  Ye  be  come  far  by  your  looks,"  said 
the  Grandam.  "  Heard  ye  aught  of  the 
King  and  Queen  that  be  carried  away  ? " 

"  We  have  heard  naught,"  said  Queen 
Aimee.  "  Is  it  even  so  ?  And  who  do 
men  say  have  taken  them  ? " 

Then  was  the  Dame  glad  that  they  knew 
not,  so  that  she  might  be  the  first  to  tell, 
for  I  know  not  why  it  is,  but  women  be 
made  that  way,  and  men  too  for  that  mat- 
ter. So  they  listened  while  she  told  them 
101 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN  AIMfcE 

how  it  was  found  that  King  and  Queen  were 
missing,  and  how  the  hounds  had  been  sent 
out  on  all  sides  if  they  might  track  them, 
and  of  the  knights  that  rode  hither  and 
thither  to  search  them  out  and  find  if  an 
enemy  had  taken  them. 

"  I  have  heard  many  tales,"  said  the 
Grandam,  "  but  this  is  the  strangest  that 
ever  I  heard.  None  knoweth  whether 
they  be  taken  by  friend  or  by  mortal  foe." 

"  Be  they  much  missed  ? "  asked  King 
Sylvain. 

"  Yea,"  said  the  woman,  "  that  be  they." 

Then  the  King  was  silent  and  his  heart 
smote  him  for  that  he  had  gone,  and  for 
the  first  time  since  he  was  set  free  of  the 
castle  he  repented  him  of  his  flight. 

"  Yet  'tis  not  that  we  may  not  have  a 
better,"  said  the  Dame.  "  Men  say  if  the 
King  be  not  found,  his  cousin  Prince 

102 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

Hughes  shall  come  to  the  throne,  and  a 
right  brave  lord  he  is  and  one  glad  to 
rule." 

"  Was  not  King  Sylvain  ?  "  asked  Queen 
Aimee. 

"  Now  what  know  I  of  the  mind  of  a 
king  ? "  asked  the  Dame.  "  But  I  have 
heard  tell  that  the  King  looked  often 
aweary  and  ware  the  face  of  one  that 
thought  of  other  things.  'Tis  not  so  with 
Prince  Hughes.  Men  say  his  hand  is 
ever  at  his  sword  and  his  eye  on  them 
about  him,  also  have  I  heard  that  he  hath 
a  terrible  look  and  a  fierce,  for  his  beard 
is  bushy  and  his  eyebrows  overhang." 

"  None  was  ever  so  brave  in  fight  as 
King  Sylvain,"  said  the  Queen,  and  the 
King  laid  his  hand  upon  her  for  fear  that 
the  colour  risen  in  her  cheeks  might  betray 
them. 

103 


KING  SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

"  Of  a  truth  I  have  heard  that  too," 
said  the  Grandam ;  "  but  he  loved  not 
fighting  for  the  fight,  nor  stirred  up  wars 
to  bring  him  tribute,  and  all  that  shall 
Prince  Hughes  do  better  than  he." 

"And  what  of  the  Queen?"  asked 
King  Sylvain. 

"  How  cometh  it  that  ye  know  not  ? " 
said  the  woman.  "  She  was  King  Luke's 
daughter  from  overseas,  and  a  right  fair 
lady,  for  I  myself  saw  her  in  a  gown  of 
scarlet  richly  sewn  with  pearls,  and  a 
snood  of  gold  thread  with  jewels  therein. 
Yet  she  had  no  child,  and  the  throne  must 
have  an  heir.  The  lady  of  Prince  Hughes 
hath  seven  sons." 

Then  the  woman  went  to  look  after  her 
pot  that  boiled  over  the  fire,  and  the  King 
followed  and  lifted  it  down  for  her,  for  it 
was  full  heavy. 

104 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfcE 

"  I  warrant  it  is  long  since  ye  were  at 
court,"  said  the  woman,  "  an  ye  do  such 
service  for  one  that  is  old  and  dwelleth 
in  a  hut." 

King  Sylvain  went  back  and  sat  with 
Queen  Aimee  in  the  garden,  and  they 
were  silent.  In  the  eaves  of  the  cottage 
were  nests,  and  swallows  flew  about  them 
twittering,  and  over  the  plain  came  soft  calls 
of  moor  birds  to  their  young.  Anon  the 
Dame  spake  to  them  from  the  doorway. 

"  Whither  go  ye  afoot  ?  "  But  afore  she 
could  hear  any  answer  she  added  thereto, 
"  Is  it  not  to  the  fairing  at  Presville  ? " 

"Yea,"  said  the  King,  "'tis  there." 

"  'Tis  two  days  yet  ere  it  beginneth," 
said  the  Dame.  "  Where  rest  ye  for  the 
night  ? " 

"Where  God  inviteth,"  answered  Queen 
Aimee. 

105 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfcE 

"  If  ye  be  honest  folk  and  would  bide 
here,  that  ye  may,"  said  the  Dame ;  "  but 
my  grass  lieth  yonder  and  waiteth  raking, 
for  one  cut  it  for  me  but  might  not  stay. 
An  ye  will  gather  it  ye  may  sleep  under 
my  roof,  but  enough  must  ye  bring  to 
make  ye  a  bed." 

"That  will  we,"  said  the  King. 

So,  though  the  sun  was  set,  King  Syl- 
vain  and  Queen  Aimee  raked  the  hay  into 
heaps,  and  the  Queen  gathered  into  her 
lap  the  flowers  that  had  been  mown  down 
therewith,  and  well-nigh  she  wept  to  see 
them  there.  Then  the  Dame  bare  to 
them  milk  and  cheese,  and  bread  that  she 
had  baked,  and  it  was-  dark  of  colour,  and 
they  sat  upon  the  threshold  and  ate  thereof. 
Enough  was  there  for  them  and  for  the 
hound  that  lay  stretched  at  their  feet,  but 
the  Dame's  cat  came  not  nigh  them  for 
1 06 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

food  or  for  caress,  but  waited  upon  the 
housetop  and  looked  down,  and  her  hair 
stood  up  along  her  back.  The  air  was 
soft  and  sweet  under  the  stars,  and  within, 
by  her  taper,  the  Dame  spread  the  bed  of 
grass,  and  anon  she  came  to  them  in  the 
doorway. 

"  Now  kissing  have  I  done  also  in  my 
youth.  I  warrant  ye  be  lovers,"  said  the 
Grandam,  and  so  they  went  to  rest. 


107 


CHAPTER    IX 
tfje  gorging  of  tije  king's  £>tootf)  at 


CHAPTER   IX 
tty  gorging  of  ttje  fting'sf  £>toor&  at 


OF  all  that  followed,  and  how  they 
slept  by  blossoming  hedgerows  of  sweet- 
smelling  hawthorn,  and  how  they  wandered 
the  paths  by  the  water-ways  may  I  not 
tell,  else  were  my  tale  too  long,  nor  know 
I  all  that  happened,  for  much  they  kept 
to  themselves.  Oft  the  nightingale  sang 
to  their  love,  and  the  stars  looked  down 
on  it.  Came  a  day  when  rain  fell  heavily, 
and  hedge  and  tree  gave  them  no  shelter. 
Then  the  King  bethought  him  of  his 
sword,  and  how  he  had  no  arms  for  the 
defence  of  his  lady  save  the  stout  oak  stick 
wherewith  he  slew  the  lion,  so  he  found 
in 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfcE 

a  smithy  which  was  within  the  town  of 
Presville,  and  one  that  worked  therein 
forging  a  suit  of  armour.  Deftly  he 
wrought  out  the  fine  rings  of  steel,  hold- 
ing the  molten  metal  at  the  end  of  his 
iron  rod  and  hammering  thereon  with  all 
his  might.  Now  the  King  stood  and 
watched  his  right  arm  and  the  great 
muscles  thereof  with  envy,  but  the  Queen 
warmed  her  by  the  fire.  All  the  walls 
were  hung  about  with  armour.  There  were 
swords  and  greaves  and  helmets  and  gaunt- 
lets, also  shields  curiously  wrought  and  of 
great  beauty  with  all  manner  of  devices  there- 
on, as  the  lion  rampant,  the  tiger  couchant, 
the  broken  spear  of  the  house  of  Cairnguth, 
and  the  single  star  of  the  house  of  Wanna- 
mere  with  a  hand  reaching  for  it. 

"  "Pis  the   King's  own  device,"  said   the 
smith,  as  King  Sylvain  fingered  it. 

112 


KING   SYLVAIN  AND   QUEEN   AIM&E 

"  Ay,"  he  answered,  "  many  times  have 
I  followed  it." 

"  Art  a  knight  ?  "  asked  the  smith. 

"  That  am  I,"  answered  the  King,  "  and 
would  have  me  a  sword,  for  mine  own 
have  I  left  behind." 

"  Here  be  many,"  said  the  smith. 
"  Choose  to  thy  liking." 

"  Nay,"  quoth  King  Sylvain,  "  I  would 
have  one  of  my  own  forging." 

Then  the  smith  laughed  loud  and  long, 
and  he  stirred  his  fire  and  sprinkled  water 
thereon  so  that  the  sparks  flew  up  and  it 
burned  more  fiercely  than  ever. 

"Yon  standeth  my  molten  steel  in  the 
crucible,"  said  he.  "  An  thou  wilt  fashion 
thee  a  sword,  it  shall  cost  thee  nothing," 
and  ever  and  anon  as  he  hammered  his 
armour  he  laughed  again. 

So  King  Sylvain  gat  him  some  of  the 
H  113 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

molten  metal  and  spread  it  out  on  a 
great  anvil,  and  as  it  cooled  he  touched 
it  with  his  hammer,  and  then  struck  it 
softly,  and  anon  he  beat  it  a  great  blow. 
Then  the  sweat  stood  on  his  forehead,  and 
he  leaned  upon  his  hammer  that  rested  on 
the  anvil. 

"Tis  all  awry,"  said  the  King.  "  Of  a 
truth  they  have  taught  me  nothing.  These 
hands,  made  by  him  that  fashioned  the 
world,  can  fashion  nothing  for  me,"  and 
there  was  shame  in  his  face.  So  he  cast 
the  metal  back  into  the  crucible  and  sat 
him  down  by  the  Queen. 

"  Didst  weary  of  the  sword  of  thine  own 
fashioning  ?  "  asked  the  smith.  "  Again 
I  tell  thee  thou  mayst  have  thy  choice 
of  mine,  save  that  yonder  which  I  have 
wrought  for  Prince  Hughes,  and  which  I 
will  give  him  with  mine  own  hands  on 
114 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

the  day  of  his  crowning  an  he  cometh  to 
the  throne.  Big  is  he  and  of  dark  coun- 
tenance, and  this  great  sword  shall  become 
him  well." 

"Wouldst  liefer  have  him  on  the  throne 
than  King  Sylvain  that  is  lost  ? "  asked  the 
King. 

"  'Tis  all  one  to  me,"  answered  the  smith, 
"  so  that  they  leave  me  hammer  and  tongs." 

Now  the  King  said  nothing,  but  sat  long 
with  his  head  upon  his  hands,  but  anon  he 
rose  again,  and  took  from  the  pot  more 
metal  and  spread  it  out,  and  gently  at  first 
and  then  harder  did  he  beat  it,  and  presently 
fell  great  blows,  so  that  the  sparks  rose  in 
the  air.  Then  the  smith  stopped  his  work 
and  watched,  and  the  Queen  drew  near  with 
her  face  all  gladness,  for  she  saw  that  her 
love's  joy  was  great  in  the  blows  that  he 
gave.  On  his  face  were  the  veins  knotted, 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

and  the  muscles  stood  out  on  his  shoulders, 
but  he  stinted  not  nor  rested,  only  now  and 
then  drew  a  great  breath.  Neither  dared 
speak  to  him,  for  there  was  that  in  his  eyes 
that  forbade  them.  Soon  could  the  shape  of 
the  blade  be  seen,  and  then  the  point  was 
beaten,  and  anon  the  edges  by  slow  strokes 
and  long. 

"  Of  a  truth,"  said  the  man,  as  he  watched 
him,  "whatever  they  have  made  of  thee 
they  have  spoiled  a  good  smith,  for  never 
saw  I  one  of  gentle  blood  take  hold  of  this 
work  as  thou." 

Then  the  King  paused  for  a  while  and 
breathed  heavily  and  spake  not,  but  soon 
lifted  again  the  tool,  and  the  sparks  flew. 
Now  the  work  was  long,  and  or  ever  it  was 
finished  he  was  weary,  but  he  said  it  not, 
and  toiled  till  the  sword  was  done.  Smooth- 
wrought  was  the  handle,  and  the  blade  was 
116 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIM£E 

keen  and  thin,  and  he  took  it  and  laid  it  at 
the  Queen's  feet. 

"Wilt  not  have  thee  a  shield  and  a  suit 
of  armour?"  asked  the  smith.  "Perchance 
thou  goest  to  tourney  ?  " 

"  Never  again,"  said  the  King. 

"Or  to  war?"  said  the  man. 

"  As  God  will,"  answered   King  Sylvain. 

"  Thou  wert  of  the  King's  household  ?  " 
said  the  smith. 

"  Ay,"  answered  the  King,  "  but  I  go 
not  there  again." 

"God  speed  thee,"  said  the  smith,  "and 
send  thee  whatsoever  foe  thou  wilt  for  thy 
sword,  for  I  see  by  the  blows  thou  givest 
that  thou  art  a  fighting  man." 

Then  the  King  chose  for  himself  certain 

tools  for  to  cut  and  to  grave,  for  he  weened 

he  might  have  need  of  them  some  day,  and 

with  one  of  them  he   worked    long,  at  the 

n; 


KING   SYLVAIN  AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

inn  where  they  lodged,  on  the  blade  of  his 
sword,  graving  somewhat  thereon.  And 
when  the  Queen  would  look  at  it,  he  said 
her  nay,  for  she  might  not  see  it  until  it 
was  finished.  Then  he  bare  it  to  her,  and 
on  the  blade  she  saw  wrought  a  hand  that 
held  a  star. 

"  I  have  changed  the  device  of  my  house 
in  changing  my  state,"  said  the  King. 

"  Hast  grasped  thy  star  ?  "  asked  Queen 
Aimee. 

"Ay,  that  have  I,"  said  King  Sylvain, 
and  he  bent  and  kissed  her  face  that  was 
upturned  toward  him. 


118 


CHAPTER   X 


in  tlje 

from  tEljem  tljat  pursfueD,  anti  of  tlje 
betioeen  ^>tr  <S>tUesf  ano 


121 


CHAPTER   X 


IjtO  {Etjemaelbe*  in  tlje  ®afe 
from  1K\)tm.  tljat  pumteD,  ana  of  tlje  jfigtjt 
brttoeen  £>tr  <8ii\t#  anD 


So  they  went  to  the  fairing  at  Presville 
and  already  had  it  lasted  many  days,  and 
gauds  and  trinkets  without  number  were 
spread  out  there,  but  none  they  purchased 
for  that  they  were  weary  of  jewels  and  of 
silk  also,  and  asked  naught  but  a  bit  of 
homespun  and  quiet  thereto.  All  that  they 
carried  away  was  two  vessels  of  copper  to 
set  over  the  fire. 

"For  an  hearth  must  we  have,  and  that 
speedily,"  said  the  King,  "  as  becometh  two 
that  be  wed." 

"  And  of  the  firing  ?  "  asked  Queen  Aimee. 

"That  will  I  cut  with  stout  blows  of 
123 


KING  SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

mine  axe,"  answered  King  Sylvain.     "There 
be  trees  enow  in  my  kingdom." 

The  Queen  ware  a  silver  girdle  about 
her  gown  of  blue,  and  a  white  kerchief  on 
her  neck,  and  was  fair  to  see,  and  a  young 
hind  that  was  there  was  greatly  taken  with 
her  and  stepped  forward  and  would  have 
kissed  her,  but  the  King  struck  him  a  great 
blow,  so  that  he  fell  back,  and  there  were 
more  like  him  there. 

"  Now  what  aileth  thee,"  said  the  yokel, 
"  to  lay  thy  blows  on  one  that  hath  done 
thee  no  harm  ?  " 

Then  the  King  drew  out  Stellifer,  which 
was  the  sword  that  he  had  forged,  and  light 
flashed  all  its  length. 

"  This  waiteth  for  the  next  that  layeth 
finger  on  my  lady,"  said  the  King. 

"These  be  court  manners,"  said  the  hind, 
and  was  surly. 

124 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

"  They  be  true  manners,  be  they  of  cot 
or  of  court,"  answered  the  King,  "  and  I  will 
make  it  good  upon  the  bodies  of  one  or 
of  ten." 

Then  there  was  no  more  ado,  but  King 
and  Queen  passed  onward  in  peace,  and  all 
made  way  for  them,  for  there  is  that  about 
blood  royal  that  maketh  itself  felt  no  mat- 
ter what  the  clothes  be. 

Now  their  way  led  them  through  the 
forest,  for  they  followed  where  leaves  were 
green,  and  anon  into  the  open  where  sun- 
shine fell  on  them  unchecked  by  the  shadow 
of  leaf  or  stem,  only  afar  where  some  river 
flowed  saw  they  tall  poplars  and  willow  trees. 
Once  as  they  journeyed  were  they  ware  on 
a  sudden  of  the  beating  of  hoofs,  and  Cceur 
d'Ami  lifted  up  his  voice  in  a  long  howl, 
for  he  remembered  him  well  of  the  scent 
that  the  wind  brought  to  him.  Then  they 
125 


KING   SYLVAIN    AND    QUEEN    AIMfcE 

knew  that  they  were  closely  followed,  and 
how  to  escape  they  saw  not.  Right  near 
them  grew  a  great  oak  tree  so  knotted  and 
gnarled  that  God  wot  whether  it  were  as  old 
as  the  coming  of  our  Lord  or  no,  but  men 
say  there  be  that  are.  Then  the  King  lifted 
Queen  Aimee  in  his  arms  and  swung  her 
lightly  up,  and  she  rested  on  a  thick  branch 
that  grew  low  and  found  her  footing.  Coeur 
d'Ami  whimpered  to  go  also,  and  him  the 
King  helped,  and  anon  he  sprang  up  after, 
and  they  stepped  from  branch  to  branch  and 
were  hidden  from  below  by  the  leaves. 
'Twas  like  a  forest  growing  in  air,  and 
the  light  was  wondrous  soft  where  it  came 
through  the  oak  leaves,  also  were  the  branches 
deep  with  moss,  so  that  they  had  a  full  fair 
cushion  for  to  sit  on.  The  hound  stretched 
himself  on  a  branch,  and  laid  his  head  be- 
tween his  paws,  and  whined  not,  but  though 
126 


3£tng  anfc  (Quern  tyl3t  in  tJ)£  ©afc  2TtEe. 
127 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

he  feigned  sleeping  he  kept  one  eye  ever 
open  and  watched.  The  King  laid  his  hand 
on  the  hand  of  the  Queen,  and  so  they 
waited. 

"  Surely  they  will  find  and  take  us," 
said  Queen  Aimee. 

"  That  will  they  not,"  he  made  answer. 
"  No  slave  will  I  be  again,  for  God's  free- 
man was  I  born,  and  none  hath  a  right 
to  bind  me  in  the  fetters  of  a  king." 

Then  the  sound  of  hoofs  came  nearer, 
and  it  was  as  they  had  thought,  for  Sir 
Leodoric  and  Sir  Gilles  and  Sir  Bertrand 
and  Sir  Geoffrey  and  the  Archbishop  rode 
under  the  tree,  but  overhead  saw  they 
nothing  but  mossy  branches  and  God's 
sunlight  shining  through  the  leaves  of 
May. 

"  I'  faith,  I  am  aweary,"  said  Sir 
Geoffrey. 

129 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIM&E 

"And  I,"  said  the  Archbishop. 

"  'Twere  a  shady  place  to  rest  in,"  said 
Sir  Leodoric. 

Then  lighted  they  all  down  and  threw 
the  reins  over  their  chargers'  necks,  and 
the  King  drew  Queen  Aimee  closer  to 
him,  but  Coeur  d'Ami  said  nothing,  only 
held  his  right  ear  in  the  air. 

"'Tis  a  bootless  search,"  said  the  Arch- 
bishop. "  Ride  we  back  to  Wannamere 
and  greet  Prince  Hughes  as  King." 

"Nay,"  said  Sir  Gilles,  "for  I  know 
that  our  liege  and  his  lady  have  not  per- 
ished, but  wait  somewhere  for  our  help." 

"Then  why  find  we  them  not?"  asked 
Sir  Bertrand,  "for  we  have  searched  the 
earth  through." 

"They  be  hidden,  mayhap,"  said  Sir 
Geoffrey. 

"  But  wherefore  hide  they  from  us  ? " 
130 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

said  the  Archbishop.  "  Nay,  I  say  they 
have  been  slain  by  the  hand  of  some  enemy, 
but  a  king  we  must  have,  so  go  we  back 
to  crown  Prince  Hughes." 

"  Mayhap  they  wander  somewhere  and 
are  mad,"  said  Sir  Leodoric. 

"  Twain  go  not  mad  together,"  said  Sir 
Geoffrey. 

"  'Tis  a  riddle  hard  to  read,"  said  Sir 
Gilles,  and  he  hove  a  great  sigh,  and  the 
hound  in  the  tree  above  would  have  whim- 
pered also,  but  that  his  master  laid  his  hand 
upon  his  head. 

"  Methinks  Prince  Hughes  will  make  a 
brave  king,"  said  Sir  Bertrand.  "  Our 
King  Sylvain  museth  too  much.  Dame 
Nature  was  thinking  of  a  poet  the  day  that 
she  made  him." 

"  Now  by  my  soul  but  I  call  thee 
traitor,"  said  Sir  Gilles,  with  his  hand  on 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

his  sword.  "  Leal  and  true  was  my  lord 
to  me,  and  leal  and  true  will  I  be  to  him, 
for  no  ill  word  shall  any  say  of  him,  and 
Prince  Hughes  shall  go  uncrowned  till  I 
touch  my  King's  hand  or  else  weep  over 
his  grave." 

"Traitor  am  I  not  named  by  no  man, 
were  he  my  own  brother,"  said  Sir  Bertrand, 
and  therewith  he  threw  down  his  glove  of 
steel  right  afore  the  face  of  Sir  Gilles. 

"  Fight  we  now  or  later  ? "  asked  Sir 
Gilles,  taking  up  his  helmet. 

"  Now,"  said  Sir  Bertrand,  "  and  by  the 
issue  of  this  combat  will  we  abide.  An  I 
come  off  victor,  'tis  a  judgment  that  Prince 
Hughes  shall  come  to  the  throne,  and  if 
thou,  then  shall  King  Sylvain  come  back 
to  us." 

So  they  laced  their  helms  and  gat  them 
ready  and  mounted  their  steeds  and  rode 
132 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

at  each  other.  Spear  smote  on  shield  and 
loud  the  armour  rang,  and  in  the  intervals 
of  the  fight  the  chargers  pawed  the  ground. 
Sir  Leodoric  and  Sir  Geoffrey  and  the 
Archbishop  watched  the  combat  from  under 
the  tree,  but  they  that  were  in  it  could  see 
nothing,  only  they  heard  always  the  noise 
and  the  din.  Then  the  King  mounted 
higher  that  he  might  look  to  see  how  the 
fight  went,  and  he  found  a  place  where 
the  leaves  were  thin,  and  there  he  stood 
and  watched.  Ever  he  dread  sore  to  see 
the  red  shield  of  Sir  Gilles  with  the  lion 
thereon  go  down,  for  he  was  his  friend ; 
and  ever  he  dread  to  see  him  fell  the  other 
to  earth  lest  it  should  win  him  back  to 
the  throne.  So  they  fought  till  the  sun 
was  two  hours  lower,  and  of  a  sudden  there 
was  silence,  and  Sir  Gilles  lay  on  the  grass. 
And  the  King  forgat  his  hiding  and  would 
133 


KING   SYLVAIN  AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

have  gone  to  him  for  pity,  but  Sir  Gilles 
arose  and  undid  his  helmet. 

"  Now  King  Sylvain  cometh  not  again," 
he  said. 

"Art  wounded?"  said  Sir  Bertrand,  com- 
ing to  help  him  in  friendly  wise. 

"  Not  in  my  body,"  answered  Sir  Gilles. 

So  they  rode  away,  and  the  King  and 
the  Queen  and  the  hound  alit  safely  from 
the  tree,  but  there  was  sorrow  in  the 
King's  laughter,  for  he  thought  of  the 
wound  of  Sir  Gilles. 


CHAPTER   XI 


fting  £>£ltoam  ana  &ueen  &imte  toan- 
ueren  tlje  toljole  Rummer  t^roug^  anu  of 
tty  ^la^  of  ^ar^  tfcat  ®^e^  0ato  in  t^e 
spinster 


CHAPTER   XI 


ana  €iueen  0imfr  toan* 
Hereto  tlje  toljole  Rummer  tljrougl),  ana  of 
of  sparp  ttjat  f&fytv  sfaiu  in  t^e 


ALL  that  summer  King  and  Queen  wan- 
dered free  as  the  birds  of  the  air.  Ofttimes 
they  lodged  on  the  greensward,  and  oft  in 
a  shepherd's  cot,  and  anon  with  a  grandam 
that  told  them  tales  of  ancient  wars  and  old 
joustings,  and  of  kings  and  queens  long 
dead,  and  lying  in  white  or  in  grey,  with 
folded  hands,  upon  their  tombs.  No  two 
nights  bided  they  in  the  same  spot,  but 
journeyed  ever  where  desire  led  them,  as 
the  down  of  the  thistle  goeth  afore  the  wind; 
and  ever  Coeur  d'Ami  guarded  them  as  they 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

slept.  Now  it  was  milk  that  was  given  them 
to  drink  by  some  lad  that  guarded  kine  in 
the  meadows,  or  curds  and  whey  had  they 
at  a  cottage  door,  and  again  they  plucked 
for  themselves  berries  and  fruits  of  the 
woods,  and  laid  them  on  green  leaves,  and 
ate  thereof  as  gaily  as  the  woodpecker 
bird  eateth  of  what  he  findeth  in  the  tree, 
and  God  knoweth  what  that  may  be. 
Lusty  and  strong  of  limb  were  they,  and 
their  faces  waxed  brown  as  his  who  work- 
eth  all  day  in  the  sun,  and  many  a  time 
and  oft  raked  they  hay  with  the  yokels,  or 
helped  to  harvest  the  golden  wheat.  Nor 
once  their  joy  abated,  but  ever  they 
waked  of  a  morning  with  laughter  on 
their  lips ;  and  once  the  King  sang  a 
strain  of  glad  song  in  his  sleep,  for  not 
even  in  dreams  could  he  forget  the  happi- 
ness that  had  come  upon  him.  Gone 
138 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

were  cares  and  vexations,  and  the  thought 
of  feast  and  of  council,  or  if  it  came,  'twas 
but  as  the  light  passing  of  a  summer  cloud 
that  leaveth  the  sun  the  brighter.  Prince 
Hughes  was  happy  on  the  throne,  and 
King  Sylvain  by  the  wayside,  and  naught 
more  was  there  to  be  said. 

Now  that  they  saw  oft  the  carter  by  the 
wayside  and  the  woman  at  her  hearth  and 
the  shepherd  lad  that  watched  his  sheep 
and  spake  with  them,  they  found  much 
that  they  had  not  known  afore. 

"  Meliketh  my  folk  of  homespun  better 
than  my  folk  of  silk,"  said  the  King  once 
and  again.  Wroth  was  he  when  he  found 
them  that  hungered  because  of  a  lord  that 
levied  unjust  tithes,  or  went  unclad  for 
lack  of  pence.  Many  worshipful  deeds  he 
did  by  the  way,  for  once  he  heard  a  hind 
making  piteous  cries  and  found  him  bound 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

fast  hand  and  foot  and  left  by  the  wayside 
to  perish  for  slight  offence.  Then  the 
King  inquired  the  name  of  the  lord  that 
had  done  the  deed,  and  sought  him  out 
and  fought  with  him,  and  placed  his  sword 
at  his  throat  until  he  gave  promise  that 
the  hind  should  be  forgiven  and  set  at 
service  once  more.  And  again  he  found 
a  woman  that  had  been  taken  by  a  craven 
knight,  and  forthwithal  he  undertook  a 
combat  and  won  her  and  took  her  back  to 
her  kin.  But  now  is  the  time  too  short  to 
tell  all  the  gentle  deeds  that  he  did. 

Oft  at  eventide  he  sat  at  the  door  of 
inn  or  of  cottage  with  a  child  on  either 
knee,  and  told  them  tales,  whereat  their 
eyes  grew  large,  and  when  they  gat  down 
they  were  loath  to  go  as  he  was  to  have 
them.  Of  Siegfried  and  the  dragon  he 
told  them,  of  Merlin  and  of  Puck  and  all 
140 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfcE 

their  ways,  of  jotuns,  and  elves,  and  wizards, 
and  enchanters  of  the  East ;  and  as  they 
listened  he  bethought  him  of  the  days 
when  he  was  but  small,  and  he  mourned 
for  the  difference  that  there  is  atween  a  child 
and  a  prince.  Then  Lisette  ran  from  her 
kitchen,  and  Jeannot  from  the  spit,  and 
Robin  from  his  horses,  and  gathered  round 
for  to  hear  the  tales,  and  none  knew  that 
the  story-teller  was  a  king,  but  all  wist 
that  he  knew  well  the  telling  of  a  tale. 

On  a  day  when  the  harvest  was  well- 
nigh  done,  they  came  by  a  river  to  a  dim 
grey  city,  and  a  row  of  poplars  led  to  it, 
and  a  bridge  whereon  now  and  then  went 
a  long  line  of  light  as  one  crossed  with  a 
torch,  for  it  was  nightfall.  On  the  mor- 
row they  rose  and  went  through  the  town 
and  came  upon  the  minster,  which  was 
monstrous  large  and  high  and  stood  in  a 
141 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIM&E 

great  square.  Also  it  was  grey  of  colour, 
and  richly  carved  at  the  portals,  for  many 
saints  wrought  full  fair  in  stone  stood  there 
in  the  niches,  with  palm  branch  or  with 
harp,  and  with  light  about  the  hair.  Then 
they  went  in,  and,  in  the  shadow,  light  fell 
on  them  of  rose  and  of  blue  and  of  ame- 
thyst, for  the  windows  were  passing  rich  in 
colour  and  the  sunshine  fell  through  them. 
Now  the  mass  was  being  said,  and  one 
robed  in  white  censed  the  altar,  and  the 
two  fell  on  their  knees,  and  bowed  their 
heads  and  prayed.  There  was  a  beggar 
on  one  side  and  a  palmer  on  the  other, 
and  both  King  and  Queen  were  glad  to 
kneel  so,  and  the  music  and  the  sound  of 
voices  were  passing  sweet. 

That  day  at  the  mass  they  showed  forth 
the  life  of  Mary,  the  mother  of  our  Lord, 
and    by    the    altar    she    stood,   as    a    little 
142 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

child  at  the  knee  of  Saint  Anne,  and 
learned  words  of  wisdom.  Anon  there  was 
another  picture,  and  Mary  sat  alone,  and 
there  was  a  nimbus  about  her  head,  but 
she  needed  it  not,  for  that  the  colours  from 
the  window  fell  on  face  and  hair.  Blue 
was  her  robe,  and  her  head  drooped  down. 
Right  so  came  a  sudden  rush  of  wings  and 
one  knelt  to  her,  and  men  were  ware  that 
there  stood  Gabriel  of  the  Annunciation, 
clad  in  white  and  in  gold,  and  he  held 
out  to  the  maiden  branching  lilies,  and  her 
head  drooped  farther  and  her  face  prayed. 
Then  came  sudden  music  from  them  that 
chanted :  — 

«« tyV  soul  magnified  tlje  iloru,  ana  mp  spirit 
Ijatlj  glaDfD  in  &oft,  mine  Ijealtij.  jfor  tie  Ijatlj 
beljolDen  tlje  meekness  of  #0  IjanDmaitu  JLo,  for 
soott),  all  generations  sljall  call  me  blrssru,  for 
fjc  tljat  is  mialjt^  Ijatlj  Done  great  things  to  me, 

H3 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

and  lite  name  i&  fcoty*  #nD  ijtsf  merci?  is  from 
kindred  unto  femdred,  to  men  dreading  Ijtm, 
,  »  ,  tye  put  toion  mig^t^  men  from  t&eir 
0eat,  anD  enljanceD  tlje  meefe*  J^e  Ijatlj  fi'lleU 
Ijungvv  men  UJttij  gooO  tljings,  and  i;r  Ijatlj  left 
ric|)  men  boid," 

And  when  mass  was  ended,  King  Sylvain 
and  Queen  Aimee  went  forth  from  the 
minster  but  said  nothing,  for  they  pondered 
many  things. 


144 


CHAPTER   XII 


@f  tlje  iloDge  of  Boughs  tljat  t&fytv  maoe 
tlje 


CHAPTER   XII 


tlje  ILoDge  of  Bougtjs  tljat  Qftjrp  maDe 
tlje 


"  I'  FAITH,"  said  King  Sylvain  to  Queen 
Aimee,  "  'tis  time  that  we  began  to  build 
our  nest,  now  that  the  birds  leave  theirs." 

"  And  where  shall  that  be  ?  "  asked  the 
Queen. 

"  That  have  we  not  found,"  said  the 
King. 

That  day  as  they  walked,  Coeur  d'Ami 
came  to  them,  for  he  had  been  a  while  away, 
and  he  took  the  King's  doublet  in  his  teeth 
and  drew  him  after,  and  anon  loosed  his 
teeth  and  whimpered,  as  one  that  hath 
something  to  show.  Then  King  and  Queen 
followed  through  a  narrow  pass  of  rock,  for 
149 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

they  were  by  the  sea  to  southward,  and 
came  upon  a  spot  by  the  blue  water  and 
knew  it  for  home.  There  grass  grew  softly, 
and  here  and  there  oak  trees  made  a  pleas- 
ant shade,  and  others  also  whose  names  I 
know  not,  for  they  be  not  of  my  country ; 
and  there  was  an  old  forest  thereby.  Fern 
and  brake  grew  there  also,  and  deer  fed  in 
the  openings  nor  were  afraid,  and  it  was 
high  above  the  sea.  Not  far  from  the  edge 
of  rock  grew  two  apple  trees  together,  and 
there  was  a  fair  well  near  at  hand,  and  the 
King  laid  him  down  on  the  grass. 

"  Here  build  I,  with  mine  own  hands,  a 
home  for  us,  that  our  joy  may  never  have 
end,"  said  he,  and  he  stroked  the  head  of 
Coeur  d'Ami  and  praised  him  so  that  the 
dog  went  well-nigh  mad  for  pride. 

Now  were  there  clear  days  that  followed, 
and  the  air  was  sweet  with  the  breath  of 
150 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

the  sea.  King  Sylvain  with  an  axe  that 
he  had  fetched  cut  down  saplings  and 
large  trees,  and  he  digged  holes  and  fitted 
them  therein,  heaving  them  up  with  great 
strength,  and  so  he  wrought  the  frame 
of  his  house.  Cunningly  were  the  logs 
fastened  with  spikes  of  wood  driven 
through,  and  cunningly  along  the  top  he 
laid  the  saplings  and  pinned  them  to  the 
roof  tree.  And  an  hearth  on  one  side  he 
fashioned  out  of  flat  stones  that  he  carried 
thither,  and  the  Queen  helped  him,  for 
her  arms  were  no  longer  faint  of  strength 
as  becometh  a  queen.  Then  Cceur  d'Ami 
begged  with  his  eyes  until  gear  was  made 
for  him  from  strips  of  the  King's  doublet, 
and  he  dragged  stones  for  the  hearth,  none 
guiding  him.  When  the  lodge  was  done, 
there  were  two  fair  chambers  therein,  and 
the  walls  were  hung  with  branches  of  pine 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfcE 

and  of  oak  for  tapestry,  and  these  the 
Queen  gathered  with  her  own  hands  and 
carried  home  in  her  arms.  Then  the  King 
wrought  a  great  bed,  and  of  split  logs  it 
was  made,  deftly  fastened  at  the  ends,  and 
covered  for  sleeping  with  sweet-smelling 
leaves  and  branches,  and  the  lion  skin  lay 
thereon,  and  never  did  king  or  queen  sleep 
so  soundly  as  these  twain.  Also  he  made 
a  table  and  it  stood  afore  the  hearth,  and 
it  was  naught  save  a  great  flat  stone  raised 
so  that  they  might  sit  thereat. 

Few  folk  they  saw  there,  only  now  and 
then  a  squire  or  a  knight  from  the  castle 
that  lay  some  leagues  to  eastward,  or  from 
the  town  on  the  other  side.  Ever  they 
shared  that  they  had  with  those  that  passed 
that  way,  but  none  asked  them  whence 
they  came  nor  why  they  bided  there,  for 
these  were  days  when  men  followed  each 
152 


Or  &ing  ant)  (Queen  cook  tyeit  Supper. 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

his  own  matter,  nor  meddled  every  man 
with  other  as  now.  Oft  saw  they  a  vessel 
with  white  sails  far  or  near  on  the  sea,  and 
marvelled  whither  it  went,  but  yearned  not 
to  go,  for  an  if  they  were  content  when 
they  wandered  with  no  abiding-place,  they 
were  thousand  fold  more  now.  By  day 
Queen  Aimee  sat  at  her  work  in  the  sun, 
for  of  reeds  and  rushes  she  wove  for  them 
household  stuff,  and  King  Sylvain  wielded 
his  axe  hard  by,  and  at  eventide  there  was 
fire  on  the  hearth  within  the  lodge,  and 
the  sound  of  that  cooking  within  the  cop- 
per vessels  was  sweet  in  the  ears  of  the 
King. 

Once  at  evening,  as  they  sat  on  two 
stones  afore  the  hearth  and  did  eat  from 
one  dish  as  became  two  that  be  wed,  King 
Sylvain  hove  a  great  sigh. 

"  What    aileth  thee  ?  "  asked  the  Queen. 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

"By  day  'tis  very  well,"  said  he,  "and 
all  is  merry  as  the  blows  of  the  axe  in  my 
hand  ;  but  each  night  come  troubled  dreams, 
and  the  same  old  fancy  returneth  to  vex 
me." 

"  Now  what  may  it  be  ?  "  asked  Queen 
Aimee. 

"  Forsooth,  that  I  be  a  King  again,"  he 
made  answer,  "  and  I  may  not  bear  it." 

"  Let  trouble  come  when  it  cometh," 
said  the  Queen.  "  Now  art  thou  a  for- 
ester and  a  brave  one,  and  must  take  the 
happiness  that  goeth  therewith.  But  oft 
am  I  too  troubled." 

"What  vexeth  thee?"  said  the  King, 
"for  I  will  end  it." 

"  I  fear  me  that  thou  growest  weary  of 
only  me,"  said  the  Queen.  "  Oft  art  thou 
silent,  and  I  know  not  what  it  may  mean." 

"  What  need  is  there  of  speech,  for- 
156 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

sooth  ? "  said  the  King,  and  he  took  her  in 
his  arms.  "  Deeper  than  the  understanding 
between  my  dog  and  myself,  where  no  word 
is  spoken,  is  the  understanding  betwixt  thee 
and  me.  Naught  else  is  there  in  all  the 
world  for  me,  and  left  I  not  my  kingdom 
for  that  it  gat  atween  us  twain  ? " 

Then  was  the  Queen  content.  So  lived 
they  from  day  to  day,  and  trouble  came 
not  to  them,  and  the  breath  that  they  drew 
in  was  full  of  life,  only  they  marvelled  that 
time  sped  so  fast,  for  they  found  not  hours 
enough  in  the  day ;  but  their  joy  could  no 
man  comprehend  save  him  to  whom  the 
sound  of  summer  rain  is  sweet  as  it  falleth 
on  a  low  roof. 


CHAPTER   XIII 
tljr  Coming  of 


CHAPTER   XIII 
t\)t  Coming  of  %>it 


WHEN  winter  came  and  from  many  trees 
the  leaves  were  fallen,  they  had  great  cheer 
by  the  fire,  for  though  in  this  country  snow 
falleth  never,  oft  at  morn  and  at  nightfall 
the  cold  cometh  in.  At  eventime  by  taper 
light  or  torch  the  King  sat  and  traced  verses 
on  the  bark  of  the  birch  tree,  and  he  gave 
them  into  the  Queen's  keeping,  for  they 
were  all  of  her.  Therein  she  learned  the 
height  and  the  depth  of  the  love  that  a 
man  may  bear  to  his  lady,  and  by  night 
and  by  day  was  there  deep  gladness  in  her 
eyes.  When  the  King  was  over-weary  with 
the  axe  he  had  held  in  his  hands  all  day, 
he  lay  prone  on  the  lion's  skin  with  the 
L  161 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

Queen's   fingers   on   his   face,  and  oft  came 
sleep  and  blissful  dreams. 

Now  it  was  a  right  fair  land  in  winter, 
for  there  be  no  words  that  can  tell  the 
look  of  brown  branches  small  and  great 
against  the  sky  when  it  is  blue  at  noon- 
tide, or  golden  at  the  setting  of  the  sun. 
Oft  strayed  they  in  the  forest,  and  there 
were  green  holly  branches  and  brown  leaves 
that  clung  to  the  oaks,  and  oft  by  the 
water  that  was  many  days  soft  and  unruffled 
and  lay  dusky  with  the  shadow  of  trees 
along  the  shore,  or  bright  where  the  light 
smote  it  beyond.  It  befell  once  at  night- 
fall that  they  stood  at  their  doorway  and 
watched  the  moon  that  was  great  and  round 
and  dull  yellow  like  the  beaten  gold  of  an 
old  plate.  Then  were  they  ware  that  one 
drew  near  them,  for  they  heard  the  crackling 
of  boughs  pressed  underfoot,  and  a  rustling 
162 


KING   SYLVAIN    AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

of  dry  leaves,  also  the  hair  of  Coeur  d'Ami 
stood  up  along  his  back  and  he  growled, 
but  his  growling  became  unsure  as  of  one 
who  knoweth  not  whether  to  bite  or  to  wag 
his  tail.  Then  saw  they  a  palmer  standing 
before  them,  for  his  staff  and  his  sandals 
they  could  see  in  the  dim  light,  but  his 
face  was  hid  by  his  cowl,  and  he  said  no 
word,  but  stood,  and  watched  the  twain  in 
the  doorway.  So  the  King  gave  him  greet- 
ing and  bade  him  enter,  and  the  pilgrim 
came  on  with  troubled  steps  and  slow,  and 
passed  the  threshold  and  seated  himself  by 
the  fire.  Then  the  Queen  bent  to  set  the 
copper  kettle  over  the  coals,  but  he  gave  a 
cry  and  held  out  his  hand  to  stay  her, 
and  she  stinted ;  but  much  she  marvelled 
whether  it  were  one  that  had  taken  a  vow 
not  to  speak  again.  Also  the  hound  was 
troubled  and  ran  from  his  master  to  the 
163 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

stranger  and  from  the  stranger  back  to  the 
King,  and  anon  he  laid  his  head  upon 
the  palmer's  knee.  None  heeded  him,  for 
all  were  busy  with  their  own  thoughts,  and 
the  face  of  the  stranger  was  turned  toward 
the  King.  Of  a  sudden  King  Sylvain 
spake  and  said,  "  These  be  the  eyes  of 
Gilles,"  and  then  was  the  hood  thrown 
back,  and  a  great  sob  came  and  Sir  Gilles 
knelt  and  took  the  King's  hand  and  kissed 
it,  saying,  "  My  Liege."  After  that  there 
was  silence  and  darkness,  save  only  for  the 
glowing  of  the  coals  and  the  flickering  of 
the  torch  in  the  corner. 

"  How  couldst  thou  thus  leave  them 
that  loved  thee  ? "  said  Sir  Gilles. 

"  Now  by  my  crown  I  knew  not  that 
there  were  any  so,"  said  the  King.  "  An 
thou  didst  love  me,  why  didst  thou  not 
tell  me?" 

164 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfcE 

"  Thou  wert  the  King,"  said  Gilles. 

Then  the  Queen  fell  a-weeping,  and  they 
were  the  first  tears  she  had  shed  since  she 
became  a  free  woman,  and  the  King  raised 
Sir  Gilles  up  and  kissed  him  on  the  cheek, 
and  they  sat  together  on  the  settle. 

"  Was  it  an  enemy  that  vexed  thee  ? " 
asked  Sir  Gilles.  "  Why  didst  thou  not 
make  it  known,  and  my  sword  had  laid 
him  low,"  and  his  hand  went  to  his  side. 

"  A  palmer,  and  goest  armed  ? "  said 
the  King,  and  he  laughed  out. 

"  My  sword's  point  was  for  thy  foe  and 
for  him  only,"  said  Sir  Gilles,  "for  I  thought 
some  caitiff  had  taken  thee.  Did  none 
constrain  thee  to  leave  thy  crown  ? " 

"  None,"  said  King  Sylvain.  "  Naught 
but  mine  own  heart,  and  the  lust  for  the 
grass  by  the  highway  and  free  footsteps 
thereon." 

165 


KING  SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

Then  Sir  Gilles'  eyes  were  full  of  won- 
der, for  the  King  told  him  the  tale  of  their 
escape,  and  of  the  life  in  field  and  forest, 
and  of  the  home-coming,  and  of  the  build- 
ing of  the  lodge. 

"Here  be  my  days  all  rain  and  shine," 
said  the  King,  "nor  hear  I  ever  the  crac- 
kling of  silk.  Dost  not  comprehend  ?  " 

Then  Sir  Gilles  pondered  long  with  his 
hand  upon  his  face. 

"Yea  and  nay,"  he  made  answer  at 
length.  "  But  now  thou  art  refreshed  and 
wilt  come  back  to  thine  own.  Mine  arm 
fighteth  for  thee  whenever  that  may  be." 

"  Hath  the  land  need  of  me  ? "  asked 
the  King.  "Are  not  all  content  while 
King  Hughes  sitteth  upon  the  throne  ?  " 

"  Of  a  truth,"  the  knight  made  answer. 
"  I  have  heard  that  men  be  for  the  most 
part." 

1 66 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

"  Is  it  not  a  brave  man  and  one  that 
liketh  well  to  reign  ?  " 

"That  it  is,"  said  Sir  Gilles,  "and  I  have 
heard  say  that  he  is  passing  glad  to  wear 
a  crown." 

"  'Tis  the  less  grief  to  me,"  said  King 
Sylvain. 

"  Naught  have  I  against  Prince  Hughes 
save  that  he  sitteth  in  thy  place,"  said  Sir 
Gilles,  "  for  all  goeth  well  with  the  king- 
dom." 

"  Now  God  be  praised !  "  said  King  Syl- 
vain. "  To  my  place  is  he  welcome,  for 
that  I  have  found  my  own ;  and  this  thou 
wilt  keep  secret,  Gilles,  and  betray  us  not  ?  " 

"Ay,  that  will   I,"  said  Sir  Gilles. 

"  Said  not  the  issue  of  the  combat  that 
I  was  to  bide  away  ?  "  asked  the  King. 

"  But  how  knowest  thou  that  ? "  said 
the  other. 

167 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

"  For  that  I  was  in  the  tree  and  watched 
thee,"  said  the  King,  "  and  knew  thee  for 
a  brave  knight,  and  the  one  nearest  mine 
own  heart." 

So  they  made  great  cheer,  and  Sir  Gilles 
told  them  of  his  wanderings  to  seek  them 
out,  for  in  palmer's  dress  had  he  gone 
northward  to  Wisterniss  by  the  sea,  and 
eastward  to  Nemoland,  and  westward  to 
the  water  again  as  far  as  Villerme,  and 
nowhere  could  he  find  tidings  of  them. 

"Then  I  vowed  not  to  cut  my  hair 
nor  to  doff  my  palmer's  dress  till  I  had 
found  ye,"  said  Sir  Gilles,  "  for  I  wist 
well,  though  I  know  not  why,  that  ye 
were  on  life." 

So  in  the  morning  Sir  Gilles  arose  and 
made  as  though  he  would  go  away. 

"  Bide  with  us,"  said  the  King. 

"  Nay,  but  I  should  miss  the  fighting 
1 68 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

and  the  jousting,"  said  Sir  Gilles,  "and 
the  straining  of  the  muscles  with  lance 
and  sword." 

"  Here  is  enough  of  straining  of  muscle 
with  hammer  and  with  axe,"  said  the 
King. 

"  Nay,  but  I  must  go  farther,"  said  Sir 
Gilles,  and  he  bent  to  kiss  the  hand  of 
the  Queen.  "  My  lady  fared  not  forth 
with  me,  else  had  I  been  content  as 
thou." 

"  Come  to  us  again  in  the  springtime," 
quoth  King  Sylvain,  "  for  then  make  I  my 
garden." 

"That  will  I,"  said  Sir  Gilles.  So  he 
went  his  way  in  his  palmer's  weed  of 
brown,  and  they  watched  him  pass  betwixt 
the  blue  water  and  the  shore. 


169 


CHAPTER   XIV 


,  anD  Ijoto  t^e 
011  Banner  of  ^tngs;  for 

to  use 


'73 


CHAPTER   XIV 

®f  tlje  Queen's;  J?ou$eimferp,  ana  Ijoto  tlje 
Jking  carted  011  spanner  of  things  for 
to  use 

Now  the  Queen  did  all  manner  of 
things  that  never  no  queen  afore  her  had 
done,  for  I  ween  few  of  blood  royal  have 
cooked  over  the  coals.  Merrily  she  went 
about  it,  and  skillet  and  basin  were  washen 
by  her  hands,  and  all  she  did  as  became 
a  queen.  Then  the  King  stood  in  need 
of  a  doublet  and  made  great  merriment 
one  day  over  the  rags  that  he  ware. 

"  What  an  if  I  fashion  thee  a  new 
one  ?  "  asked  the  Queen. 

"  Faith,  and  wilt  thou  ? "  said  he. 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

"  Ay,"  she  made  answer,  "  an  thou  wilt 
fetch  me  cloth  thereto." 

So  the  King  went  a  day's  journey  to 
the  town  that  lay  to  westward  and  fetched 
with  him  green  cloth  a  plenty  and  gold 
thread  also,  and  the  Queen  fashioned  him 
a  garment  that  was  wondrous  beautiful. 
And  for  that  it  was  a  task  she  had  not 
done  afore,  she  lay  the  cloth  upon  the 
King's  back  and  cut  it  so  that  the  shape 
was  right,  and  for  twelve  days  she  broid- 
ered  it,  and  on  the  twelfth  it  was  done. 
Green  it  was  and  it  fitted  him  bravely, 
and  by  throat  and  sleeve  and  on  the  bosom 
thereof  were  oak  leaves  wrought  with  gold 
thread,  "As  becometh  a  forester,"  said 
Queen  Aimee.  And  a  cap  was  with  it  of 
green  cloth  also,  and  in  it  an  eagle's  feather. 

"  In  token  that  I  fly  free,"  said  King 
Sylvain. 

176 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfcE 

"And  I  with  thee,"  answered  the  Queen. 

"  So  must  thou  have  a  garment  of  the 
same  cloth,"  said  the  King. 

"  Nay,  I  am  a-weary,"  said  Queen 
Aimee,  and  the  King  made  great  dole  for 
that  he  had  set  her  to  the  task. 

"  But  I  liked  it  dearly,"  said  the  Queen ; 
"  yet  ever  in  the  days  of  our  imprison- 
ment my  broidering  wearied  me,  for  me- 
thought  ever,  f  Here  place  I  one  stitch 
and  here  another,  and  to  what  purpose 
save  to  wear  out  the  hours  from  matins 
to  the  vesper  bells  ? '  But  now  with  the 
drawing  of  each  thread  did  I  say,  f  'Tis 
the  clothing  of  a  king.' ' 

After  that  she  made  of  the  same  cloth  a 
garment  for  herself,  and  at  the  neck  was 
it  open  and  cut  squarely  so  that  her  white 
throat  showed,  but  the  sleeves  were  flowing 
and  had  inner  ones  of  fine  white  lawn.  And 

M  I77 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

ever,  as  she  sewed  it,  the  King  watched  the 
copper  vessels  over  the  coals  and  washed 
them  after  lest  the  Queen's  strength  fail. 

But  when  the  garments  were  done,  the 
King  turned  again  to  his  axe,  for  all  man- 
ner of  furnishings  must  he  make  for  the 
house.  First  of  the  chest.  Of  oak  he 
fashioned  it,  and  he  fitted  back  and  sides 
cunningly  together,  and  when  the  frame- 
work was  done,  and  a  cover  wrought 
thereto,  he  took  a  knife  and  a  tool  and 
carved  all  manner  of  quaint  devices  on 
the  sides.  There  were  angels  going  their 
ways,  and  horses  and  riders,  and  Adam 
and  Eve  he  made  among  the  trees  of 
the  Garden,  and  the  trees  were  patterned 
after  them  he  saw ;  nor  forgat  he  the  ser- 
pent, but  made  him  good  and  long  and 
winding  about  the  tree  of  knowledge  ('twas 
an  oak  tree) ;  but  the  Voice  in  the  Garden 
178 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

could  he  not  grave.  On  the  cover  thereof 
he  carved  the  arms  of  his  house,  and 
then  was  it  ready  for  use,  and  it  stood 
full  on  the  floor  so  that  they  might  sit 
thereon. 

"  'Tis  thy  marriage  chest,"  said  the  King, 
gaily.  "  In  it  thou  shalt  keep  all  thou 
dost  prize  most  highly,  thy  gowns  and 
thy  jewels,  as  women  use." 

"There  will  I  keep  thy  verses,"  said 
Queen  Aimee,  "  those  that  be  writ  and 
those  that  be  not  yet  made." 

Now  King  Sylvain  grew  wondrous  skil- 
ful with  his  tools,  and  he  carved  two 
chairs  that  be  still  kept,  and  their  like 
have  I  not  seen.  All  over  them  runneth 
twig  and  branch  and  leaf,  so  woven  that 
ye  may  not  tell  where  one  stoppeth  and 
another  beginneth,  but  one  looking  would 
think  it  were  the  forest  itself  and  that  his 
179 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

eyes  were  lifted  to  the  trees.  Then  he 
fashioned  beechen  bowls  for  eating,  and  to 
the  outside  still  clung  the  faint  grey  moss 
that  groweth  there,  and  he  wrought  plates 
whereon  the  vines  of  the  forest  ran  lightly 
with  flowers  here  and  there.  All  manner 
of  things  that  he  needed  at  table  he  made, 
and  all  bore  the  look  of  one  that  joyed 
in  the  task.  After,  when  the  tale  was 
known,  the  fame  of  them  spread  abroad 
through  the  land,  and  if  any  man  would 
speak  of  something  that  showed  skill,  he 
said,  "  'Tis  as  the  handiwork  of  King 
Sylvain." 

Once  on  a  time  in  the  winter  the  King 
fell  sick,  for  he  had  been  much  in  wood 
and  in  water,  and  the  Queen  feared  greatly. 
Drugs  had  she  none,  save  only  herbs  that 
a  wise  woman  who  dwelt  not  far  in  the 
forest  had  given  her,  and  these  she  min- 
180 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfcE 

istered,  and  on  the  third  day  the  fever 
abated  and  the  King's  eyes  opened.  Then 
the  Queen  knelt  beside  him  as  he  lay  on 
the  bed  that  his  own  hands  had  fashioned. 

"  Sweetheart,"  said  Queen  Aimee,  softly, 
"  thou  comest  back  to  me.  Much  I  feared 
me  that  thou  wouldst  die." 

"  Not  while  thou  art  on  life,"  said  King 
Sylvain,  "  for  then  is  there  for  me  no  dying. 
Nor  would  I  leave  my  life  till  I  have 
finished  yon  table,  for  there  is  good  work 
therein." 

It  befell  the  next  day  that  the  King 
waxed  better. 

"  Ah,"  said  King  Sylvain,  as  he  rose 
from  his  oaken  bed,  "  but  I  breathe 
lightly  lest  the  joy  of  it  slip  away.  Now 
grey  weather  and  pain  and  cold  mean 
naught  to  me,  for  sweet  to  my  taste  be 
even  the  rough  morsels  of  my  life." 
181 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

So  King  Sylvain  went  back  to  his 
handiwork,  and  made  many  things  fair  to 
see,  and  or  ever  spring  came  he  was  fash- 
ioning a  cradle. 


182 


CHAPTER   XV 

f  tfce  Cfmrlisty  tonight  tfcat  atolr  atoap  tte 

Quern,  anD    tjoU3   ttjr   ^mg   Hrs^rD   tns 
©tuoro   fetrlltfrr 


CHAPTER   XV 

tlje  Clmrltel)  ftnig&t  tljat  stole  atoap  tlje 
anD   Ijoto   t^e  fting  flealjea 


Now  the  Queen's  gown  worked  trouble 
for  her,  as  ye  shall  see.  It  fell  that  on  a 
day  she  went  into  the  forest  when  the  sun 
was  high,  and  for  that  it  was  warm  and  the 
air  soft  ;  and  no  path  was  there,  only  dried 
leaves  that  made  a  carpet,  so  that  she  lost 
her  way  and  was  all  for-wandered,  and  knew 
not  how  to  face  toward  home.  Gone  was 
the  sea  that  might  serve  for  guidance,  and 
the  trees  about  her  were  none  that  she 
knew.  So  the  Queen  sat  her  down  to 
rest,  for  she  was  a-vveary,  and  was  nothing 
afraid,  and  slept,  and  her  garment  showed 
185 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

green  against  the  brown  covering  of  the 
earth,  and  her  fair  hair  shone  where  it 
rested  against  the  trunk  of  a  beech  tree. 
Right  so  as  she  slept  she  opened  her  eyes, 
and  was  ware  that  one  stood  near  her,  and 
looked  down  from  his  steed,  and  he  was 
armed  from  head  to  toe  in  black  armour 
that  gave  him  a  grisly  look.  Also  he  bare 
a  black  shield,  and  on  it  an  eagle  volant, 
and  the  motto  above  it  was  "  None  Else." 

"  Now,  by  Saint  George,  thou  choosest 
a  strange  place  for  thy  sleeping,"  said  the 
Knight. 

"And  thou  for  thy  gazing,"  said  the 
Queen,  and  she  stood  now  upon  her  feet. 

"  What  meanest  thou  by  that  ?  "  said  the 
Knight,  and  through  his  helmet  she  saw 
his  eyes  glare  like  hot  coals. 

"  An  thou  wert  a  knight  courteous, 
thou  wouldst  need  no  answer,"  said  the 
1 86 


KING  SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

Queen,  and  she  made  as  to  go  from 
him.  "  Never  yet  saw  I  one  that  bare 
shield  that  would  do  so  ungentle  a  deed 
as  thou  hast  done  in  standing  to  watch  a 
lady  sleeping." 

Then  the  Knight  swore  a  great  oath, 
and  turned  his  steed  toward  her  and  spake. 

"  Or  ever  thou  hast  breathed  thrice,  thou 
shalt  answer  for  this  to  me." 

"  Dost  fight  women  ?  "  asked  the  Queen, 
and  she  stood  to  look,  and  though  she 
wore  but  a  forest  woman's  dress,  it  seemed 
her  royal  state  had  come  back  to  her. 
"  Must  thou  wear  armour  therefor  when 
they  wear  none?  Draw  back  thy  steed 
that  I  may  pass." 

Then  the  Knight  gnashed  his    teeth   for 

rage,    and    the    Queen    heard    the    clicking 

through  the  mouthpiece  of  the  helmet,  and 

he  rode  at  her,  but  the  Queen  gat  behind 

187 


KING  SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

the  beech  tree,  and  her  face  looked  at  him 
from  behind  its  grey  trunk. 

"  I  will  thrust  thee  through  with  my 
sword,"  said  the  Knight,  and  he  lighted 
from  his  horse  for  to  do  it. 

"  Now,  verily,  I  understand  the  motto 
of  thy  house,"  said  Queen  Aimee. 
" c  None  Else  '  in  Christendom  doth  such 
unknightly  deeds  as  thou." 

Then  the  Knight's  arm  dropped,  and  his 
charger  went  loose,  and  he  gazed  long  at  the 
Queen's  face,  for  never  had  he  seen  none 
other  like  unto  it,  and  at  length  he  spake. 

"  I  would  have  thee  to  my  wife,"  said 
the  Churlish  Knight. 

"  And  I  would  have  thee  not  to  my 
husband,"  said  the  Queen.  "  I  know  not 
from  what  part  of  heathendom  thou 
comest,  but  in  Christian  land  is  a  woman 

ever  asked  if  she  will  be  wed." 

188 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

Then  the  Knight  seized  her  in  his 
arms. 

"  By  fair  means  or  foul  will  I  have 
thee,"  he  said,  and  he  bare  her  away  and 
caught  the  bridle  of  his  steed.  As  he 
made  ready  and  looked  not  at  her,  the 
Queen  took  from  her  bosom  a  whistle 
that  her  lord  had  made  for  her.  'Twas 
of  a  willow  stem  and  curiously  carved. 
Thrice  she  blew  it,  and  the  call  was  as  the 
call  of  a  bird.  Then  the  Churlish  Knight 
looked  up  into  the  branches. 

"There  be  strange  birds  in  this  forest," 
said  he. 

"Ay,"  said  the  Queen,  "and  that  that 
thou  bearest  is  the  strangest  of  all,  for 
never  yet  have  I  seen  or  heard  tell  of  a 
craven  eagle." 

"An    thou    stintest    not    I    will    strangle 
thee,"  roared  the  Knight. 
189 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

"  I'  faith,"  said  Queen  Aimee,  sadly, 
"  that  is  the  only  hope  I  have  left." 

So  he  put  her  ahead  of  him  on  the 
steed  and  rode  away,  and  ever  as  they 
went  the  Queen  bethought  her  of  her 
dear  lord  and  of  the  gladness  they  had 
had  of  each  other  in  the  forest,  and  the 
tears  ran  down  her  cheeks. 

"  Now  was  I  ever  afraid  that  our  joy 
was  too  great  to  last,"  said  the  Queen, 
"  for  with  happiness  first  cometh  peril." 

Far  in  the  forest  the  King  heard  the 
whistle  and  Cceur  d'Ami  also,  and  the  hound 
pricked  up  his  ears,  and  it  blew  three  times 
as  the  King  had  said  it  should  do  if  danger 
came.  So  he  dropped  his  axe  and  laid  his 
hand  on  his  sword  and  the  hound  led  him, 
and  anon,  after  much  winding,  they  came 
upon  the  spot  where  the  Queen  had  lain 
asleep.  There  the  King  saw  the  print  of 
190 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN  AIMEE 

the  horse's  hoofs  and  he  gave  a  great  cry 
and  stood,  and  there  was  death  in  his  face. 
Then  the  hound  followed  fast  on  the  tracks 
of  the  steed  and  the  King  ran  after  as  one 
mad ;  and  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon 
they  came  upon  an  open  space,  and  saw 
the  Caitiff  Knight  resting  on  the  ground, 
and  his  helmet  was  off,  but  his  harness  he 
had  on  him.  Not  far  the  Queen  sat 
under  a  tree  and  watched  him  and  he  her. 
Then  the  King  took  his  sword  Stellifer  in 
his  hand  and  leaped  forward,  and  Queen 
Aimee  gave  a  glad  cry ;  and  the  Churlish 
Knight  hastily  donned  his  helmet  and 
took  his  sword,  and  the  King  said  never  a 
word.  No  armour  had  he,  but  a  brave 
heart  goeth  ever  well  armed,  and  a  craven 
may  not  be  safe  behind  any  coat  of  mail 
that  ever  was  wrought.  Now  the  Churl- 
ish Knight  came  on  and  drave  at  the 
191 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

King,  but  the  King  parried  and  the  sword 
missed  its  stroke.  Then  he  came  at  the 
Knight,  but  the  stroke  fell  on  his  shield 
and  availed  not. 

"  Soon  will  I  hang  thy  limbs  up  on 
yon  tree  for  the  birds,"  swore  the  Caitiff. 

"  Thou  shouldst  carry  the  device  of  the 
cock  and  not  the  eagle,"  said  the  King, 
"for  he  is  the  bird  that  boasteth." 

So  for  an  hour  they  fought  and 
stinted  not,  nor  did  the  King's  arm  wax 
weary,  for  not  oft  did  he  strike  but  waited 
ever  his  chance  and  avoided  the  other's 
strokes.  And  the  Queen  ran  and  gat  the 
spear  of  the  churl  and  held  it,  for  she  was 
minded  if  her  lord  fell  to  thrust  it  into 
her  own  heart  before  the  black  Knight 
could  do  her  harm.  All  the  while  Cceur 
d'Ami  grieved  mightily  that  he  might  not 
partake  of  the  fight,  and  he  sat  afore  the 
192 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIM£E 

Queen  for  her  safety.  Now  the  Churlish 
Knight  waxed  more  and  more  wroth,  and 
his  blows  grew  heavier  and  heavier,  and 
he  took  little  heed  for  his  defence,  for 
he  knew  that  he  ware  the  coat  of  mail. 
Then  the  King  saw  that  his  time  had 
come,  and  he  held  his  good  sword  Stelli- 
fer  in  his  hand,  and  with  all  his  might 
came  on  ;  and  or  ever  the  other  was  ware 
he  had  plunged  his  sword  through  his 
armour,  there  where  the  heart  was,  and  it 
cut  through  the  rings  of  steel  as  they  had 
been  silk,  so  that  the  blood  burst  out  and 
the  Knight  lay  dead.  Then  King  Sylvain 
went  and  took  the  Queen  in  his  arms, 
and  they  sat  down  together  and  reposed 
them,  for  he  was  forspent.  Anon  came 

*s» 

the  Knight's  steed  and  watched  them,  and 
soon  stepped  to  them  and  laid  his  nose 
on  the  King's  hand,  and  the  King  knew 

O  '93 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

that  the  steed  was  glad  of  a  new  master. 
So  he  rode  toward  home,  and  the  Queen 
afore  him  on  the  horse,  and  the  shield 
and  armour  of  the  dead  knight  behind, 
and  they  made  great  joy  of  the  issue  of 
the  fight. 


194 


CHAPTER  XVI 
tlje  spafeing  of  tfje  fcing's 


i97 


CHAPTER  XVI 

<$f  ttje  tanking  of  ttjc  king's  0avDrn 

IT  befell  on  a  day  that  the  grass  began 
to  grow  again,  and  young  green  shoots 
sprang  up  in  the  forest  and  showed  among 
the  brown  leaves.  Also  the  naked  branches 
and  the  twigs  ware  another  colour  where 
they  stood  against  the  sky,  and  I  know 
not  how  to  name  it,  yet  was  there  faint 
red  therein  of  the  kind  the  clouds  to  east- 
ward have  afore  the  dawn.  Now  the  birds 
came  back  with  their  singing  and  began 
to  make  new  nests,  both  merle  and  mavis 
and  song-sparrow  and  nightingale,  and  two 
swallows  came  and  builded  on  the  eaves 
of  the  King's  roof.  Then  King  Sylvain's 
heart  stirred  within  him,  as  hearts  stir  ever 
199 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIM&E 

in  spring,  and  he  used  his  axe  no  more, 
but  walked  to  and  fro  among  the  trees 
when  the  buds  were  bursting  into  green 
leaf,  and  his  head  was  bent.  Coeur  d'Ami 
watched  him,  and  followed,  but  knew  not 
whether  to  be  glad  or  sad,  for  ever  the 
dog's  mood  fitted  his  master's,  and  the  King 
bent  down  and  stroked  him  on  the  head, 
and  spake : — 

"  Cceur  d'Ami,  now  is  my  joy  so  great 
that  I  may  not  bear  it,"  and  then  was  the 
hound  glad,  for  though  he  knew  not  the 
words,  he  perceived  that  that  lay  behind 
them. 

Warm  winds  blew  from  the  south,  and 
the  sun  shone,  and  they  waited,  and 
behold !  the  blossoming  of  the  trees. 
Almond  and  peach  showed  first  on  the 
slopes  to  southward,  and  then  the  apple 
trees  about  the  house  were  as  one  flower, 
200 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN    AIMEE 

and    the  fragrance    made  sweet  all    the   air 
as  far  as  the  sea. 

Then  the  King  knew  that  the  lust  of 
the  axe  had  left  him,  and  the  desire  for 
the  spade  had  come,  so  he  digged  him  a 
garden  facing  the  blue  water,  and  set  there 
in  the  dark  earth  yellow  daffodils  and 
such  other  plants  as  he  could  find  in  for- 
est or  in  meadow.  First  came  the  crocus 
that  he  planted  in  clusters,  and  it  cared 
not  that  its  place  was  changed,  but  blos- 
somed bravely  into  purple  and  white  and 
the  colour  of  gold.  Now  in  that  country 
be  blood-red  tulips  that  open  in  the  earli- 
est grass  of  spring,  and  these  the  King 
put  here  and  there  in  the  sward  before 
the  lodge,  that  the  Queen  might  see  one 
whenever  she  passed,  for  she  liked  them 
dearly.  One  was  by  the  grey  stone  where 
she  was  wont  to  sit,  and  one  hard  by  the 

201 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN  AIMEE 

door,  but  none  in  the  shade,  for  they  love 
the  sun.  Also  primroses  grew  there,  and 
the  flowers  that  be  hight  anemone,  of 
full  many  colours,  as  purple  and  scarlet, 
whereas,  here  by  the  north,  they  be  but 
pale,  but  there  as  here  be  they  slender  of 
stem.  King  Sylvain  worked  mightily  at 
his  gardening,  and  oft  the  sweat  poured 
from  his  face  more  than  it  had  ever  done 
at  the  tourney.  Far  and  wide  he  travelled 
for  to  find  his  flowers,  and  some  the  gar- 
dener at  the  castle  gave  him,  to  wit,  lilies 
that  be  small  and  white  and  wondrous 
sweet  and  droop  from  a  stem,  and  roses 
many  kinds.  These  open  early  in  that 
country,  and  or  ever  it  was  the  month  of 
May  there  were  golden  and  white  and  red 
that  made  fair  blooming  in  the  garden, 
but  most  the  Queen  loved  the  vine  that 
began  to  climb  the  wall  of  the  house  and 

202 


KING  SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

bare  small  roses  a-many  growing  in  a 
cluster.  Oft  as  the  King  wandered  an  old 
wife  gave  him  roots  from  her  store,  so 
that  he  had  in  a  corner  rosemary  and 
lavender  a-growing,  and  herbs  that  be  good 
for  to  heal. 

Queen  Aimee  walked  often  in  the  garden 
with  him,  nor  could  she  tell  whether  her 
lord's  handiwork  were  liefer  to  her  indoors 
or  out.  And  he  had  great  joy  of  her 
beauty  as  she  stood  among  the  flowers,  for 
though  I  have  wrote  tales  of  many  fair 
women,  of  none  have  I  told  that  was  so 
fair  as  she.  One  light  shone  in  her  face 
and  one  in  her  hair,  and  it  may  be  her 
great  loveliness  was  because  she  was  the 
happiest  of  them  all. 


203 


CHAPTER   XVII 


t\)t  Heturn  of  ^tr  (Sillea  and  totjat 
befell  thereafter 


CHAPTER   XVII 


<$f  tije  Umirn  of  £>tr  <Sille0  anD  tofcat 
befell  thereafter 

WHEN  it  was  midsummer,  Sir  Gilles 
returned  again  unto  them,  but  this  time 
came  he  not  as  a  palmer  but  bravely  ap- 
parelled and  well  armed.  And  he  saw 
the  King's  garden  set  with  roses  and  red 
summer  lilies,  and  in  it  the  wise  woman 
of  the  woods  with  the  Prince  upon  her 
knee,  and  he  marvelled  much  of  the  sight. 

"  Ye  be  right  welcome,"  said  King  Syl- 
vain,  going  forth  to  meet  him,  so  Sir 
Gilles  alit  from  his  horse  and  turned  him 
away  to  graze. 

"  Thou  wearest  a  favour  that  I  have  not 
207 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

seen  afore,"  said  the  King,  for  there  was  a 
knot  of  blue  on  the  arm  of  Sir  Gilles. 

"  Ay,"  he  made  answer.  "  I  be  come 
hither  from  the  tourney,  and  now  no 
longer  envy  I  thee  thy  lot." 

Then  the  Queen  came  forth  to  greet 
him,  and  Sir  Gilles  knelt  before  her,  and 
he  thought  in  his  mind  that  never  no 
queen  like  to  this  would  sit  again  on  the 
throne. 

"  Hast  seen  my  son  ? "  asked  Queen 
Aimee. 

"  Nay,"  answered  Sir  Gilles,  "  for  I 
feared  me  of  the  wise  woman." 

So  the  Queen  took  the  child  and  gave 
him  to  the  knight,  and  he  was  not  af- 
frighted of  the  helmet  nor  of  arms  of 
steel,  but  lay  and  smiled. 

"  So  doth  he  ever,"  said  the  Queen, 
"  and  for  that  we  have  called  him  Leon 
208 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

the  Glad,  for  well-nigh  since  the  May  day 
when  he  was  born  hath  he  smiled,  and 
the  name  was  given  for  that  he  lay  first 
on  a  lion's  skin." 

Then  Sir  Gilles  bent  and  kissed  the 
child's  hand  and  said  :  — 

"  I  give  thee  greeting,  Least  Sovereign, 
and  may  I  be  there  the  day  that  thou  art 
crowned." 

Now  he  spake  jestingly,  but  he  looked 
up  and  saw  that  the  Queen's  face  was 
clouded. 

Then  King  Sylvain  drew  near  and  laid 
his  hand  upon  the  child,  and  Coeur  d'Ami 
whined  piteously. 

"  What  aileth  the  hound  ? "  asked  Sir 
Gilles. 

"  He  will  not  that  I  have  a  new  friend," 
said  the  King.  "  Watch  and  ward  keep- 
eth  he  well  over  the  babe  when  none  else 

o  209 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIM£E 

is  at  hand,  but  if  ever  I  draw  near,  he 
grieveth  sore." 

Right  so  as  they  sat  in  the  garden  after 
they  had  eaten,  the  King  spake  to  Gilles.  . 

"  How  goeth  my  kingdom  ? "   he  asked. 

"  Bravely,"  answered  Sir  Gilles. 

"  Is  it  peace  or  war  ? "  said  King  Syl- 
vain. 

"  Now  one  and  now  another,"  said  Sir 
Gilles.  "  My  Lord  Hughes  and  his  seven 
sons  have  won  Orcagnie,  and  the  king 
thereof  sendeth  tribute,  and  Prestenne  also 
hath  been  taken  by  arms." 

Then  was  the  King  silent,  but  Sir  Gilles 
could  see,  for  it  was  betwixt  daylight  and 
dark,  that  his  face  was  set  and  stern,  and 
he  heard  a  great  sigh. 

"  Art  weary  of  thy  lot  ? "  asked  the 
knight. 

"  Nay,  so    God    me    help ! "    quoth    the 

« 

210 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

King,  in  a  passion.  "Wit  thou  well, 
Gilles,  that  I  count  out  its  minutes  as 
they  were  precious  stones  and  I  feared  to 
lose  one  and  not  find  it  again." 

"Then  what  aileth  thee  ? "  said  Sir 
Gilles. 

"  'Tis  my  little  son,"  answered  the  King 

"  Art  not  glad  of  him  ? "  said  Gilles. 

"Ay,  that  be  I,"  said  King  Sylvain, 
"  even  to  the  dividing  asunder  of  soul  and 
body,  but  I  fear  me  I  have  done  him  a 
wrong.  He  was  heir  to  a  throne,  and  I 
have  taken  it  away." 

Then  was  Sir  Gilles  silent,  for  he  deemed 
the  King  had  spoken  truth.  Then  the 
Queen  drew  near  them  and  said  never  a 
word,  but  her  face  was  sad  also,  and  within 
the  lodge  they  heard  the  wise  woman  sing- 
ing to  the  child  afore  it  slept. 

"  He  is  thy  son,"  said  Sir  Gilles,  "  and 


21  I 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

perchance  would  liefer  be  without  a 
kingdom." 

"  We  have  left  him  no  choice,"  said 
Queen  Aimee,  "and  it  may  be  that  the 
measure  of  our  joy  is  the  measure  of  his 
loss." 

"  Wouldst  fain  come  to  thine  own 
again  ?  "  asked  Sir  Gilles. 

"  I  could  bear  all,"  answered  King  Syl- 
vain,  "for  the  sake  of  the  child.  My  roses 
and  my  lilies  be  blooming,  yet  would  I 
go  back  within  stone  walls  an  it  were  well 
for  the  lad." 

"  And  thou  ? "  said  Sir  Gilles  to  the 
Queen. 

"  I  care  not  what  pain  may  come  to  me 
henceforward,"  said  Queen  Aimee,  "an  it 
vantageth  my  son ;  and  wherever  I  dwell 
hereafter  in  body,  my  soul  will  bide  here 
by  the  sea." 

212 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

"'Tis  but  idle  talk,"  said  the  King,  "for 
Hughes  ruleth  by  mine  own  choice.  The 
boy  shall  bide  here  with  me,  and  the  use 
of  tools  will  I  teach  him,  for  my  hand 
hath  grown  cunning,  Gilles." 

"  That  have  I  seen,"  said  the  knight ; 
"  that  and  thy  pride  therein.  But  me- 
thinks  thou  hast  spoken  truth,  and  it  is 
shame  that  the  true  prince  should  grow  up 
like  a  lion's  cub  in  the  forest  nor  know 
the  training  to  knightly  deeds." 

"  Gentle  deeds  come  where  dwell  gentle 
hearts,  Gilles,"  said  Queen  Aimee,  "and  I 
ween  I  can  teach  the  child  manners  that 
become  a  king's  son." 

"Ay,  that  canst  thou,"  answered  Sir 
Gilles,  "but  his  birthright  canst  thou  not 
give  him  here  in  the  forest." 

"  What  wouldst   thou  have  us  to  do  ? " 

asked  the  King. 

213 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIM&E 

"  Go  back  to  thy  own,"    said   Sir  Gilles, 

"thou  and  the  Queen  and  the  Prince  thy 

» 
son. 

"  But  'tis  no  longer  mine,  for  all  longeth 
to  Hughes,  and  the  people  be  content," 
said  King  Sylvain. 

"  'Tis  thine  while  thou  art  on  life,"  said 
Sir  Gilles,  stoutly,  "  for  none  can  take  away 
aught  from  an  anointed  king.  Go  thou 
back  to  Wannamere  and  say  to  Prince 
Hughes  thou  wouldst  have  back  thy  king- 
dom that  was  but  lent  him." 

"  And  if  he  say  nay  ? "  asked  the  King. 

"  Hast  a  sword  ?  "  said  Sir  Gilles. 

"  Ay,"  said  the  King,  "  'tis  mine  own 
handiwork  and  passing  sharp." 

"  A  sword  have  I  also,"  said  the  Knight, 
"  and  henceforward  as  heretofore  draw  I  it 
for  no  man  but  thee.  Canst  get  thee  a 
steed?" 

214 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

"  A  good  steed  have  I,"  said  King 
Sylvain,  "  and  I  won  him  in  fair  fight." 

"  To-morrow  fare  we  forth,"  said  Sir 
Gilles. 

"  So  be  it,"  said  the  King,  "  but  I  fear 
me  that  we  do  wrong  to  Hughes,  for 
meseemeth  now  is  all  his  by  right." 

That  night  was  the  fragrance  of  the  roses 

sweeter    than    ever    before,   and   the   Queen 

/ 
wept    for    that    she    should    not    smell    it 

again. 


215 


CHAPTER   XVIII 


Ijoto  &ing  £>glbain  and 

bach  to  ttyit  ^ingfiom,  ano  of  prince 


2I9 


CHAPTER   XVIII 


f  Ijoto   &ing  ^Itoain  ana  iiueen  #imee 
tornt  bach  to  tljrir  tungoom,  and  of  prince 


So  the  King  and  Queen  and  the  Prince 
and  Sir  Gilles  went  forth  from  the  lodge 
and  journeyed  to  Wannamere.  King  and 
Queen  ware  the  forest  suits  of  green  that 
Queen  Aimee  had  wrought,  and  the  King 
rode  on  the  steed  of  the  Churlish  Knight, 
but  the  Queen  had  a  white  palfrey  that 
they  purchased  for  a  jewel  of  a  knight 
that  they  met  by  the  way,  for  it  had 
longed  to  his  lady  and  she  was  dead. 
Sir  Gilles  would  ever  carry  with  him  the 
Prince,  and  the  child  lay  on  his  left  arm, 
and  he  guided  his  charger  with  the  other, 


221 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIM&E 

and  the  folk  that  they  met  marvelled  much 
of  the  sight,  for  never  yet  saw  they  mailed 
knight  that  journeyed  with  a  babe  on  his 
arm.  Some  weened  that  it  was  Merlin,  and 
that  he  bore  Arthur  again  to  them,  for  all 
waited  that  King  Arthur  should  come  back 
one  day ;  and  a  woman,  when  she  saw  these 
pass,  asked  why  he  might  not  come  as  a 
child,  and  all  granted  her  that  it  might  be 
so,  though  they  had  looked  for  him  as  a 
grown  man.  None  knew  them  for  what 
they  were,  for  Sir  Gilles  bare  no  shield, 
and  the  King  had  with  him  the  black 
shield  of  the  Churlish  Knight,  but  the 
device  of  the  eagle  had  he  rubbed  away 
with  his  tools.  Both  ware  armour,  for 
themthought  Prince  Hughes  might  be  of 
hostile  intent,  and  "it  were  well  to  be 
ready,"  said  Sir  Gilles;  so  they  halted  at 
the  smithy  where  the  King  had  forged 


222 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

his  sword,  and  gat  armour  for  the  King, 
and  the  smith  remembered  him  well. 

"  'Tis  the  armour  I  was  working  while 
ye  were  with  me,"  said  the  smith. 

"  So  much  the  better,"  said  King 
Sylvain,  "  for  I  know  that  it  is  well 
made."  Then  he  put  it  on,  and  it 
became  him  bravely. 

"  Hast  a  spear  ? "  asked  the  smith. 

"  Nay,"  said  the  King. 

"  Then  will  I  give  thee  one  to  thy 
liking,"  said  the  man,  "  for  thou  art  a 
brave  fellow  and  shouldst  have  been  a 
smith." 

Then  the  King  gave  him  thanks  and 
they  went  their  way,  and  rode,  what  by 
hill,  what  by  dale,  till  they  came  to 
Wannamere. 

"  Now  go  thou  in,"  said  Sir  Gilles, 
afore  the  castle  gate,  "  and  make  thy 
223 


KING  SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIMfiE 

cause  known  to  my  Lord  Hughes. 
Keep  thy  sword  by  thee,  for  it  may  be 
he  will  lay  hand  on  thee  even  when  the 
lady  and  the  child  be  with  thee.  I  go 
throughout  the  city  to  tell  thy  tale,  and 
within  an  hour  am  I  here  again  and  with 
me  many  trusty  blades  that  will  make 
good  thy  cause  an  thy  Cousin  Hughes 
listen  not  to  it." 

So  the  Queen  took  her  son  in  her 
arms  and  they  went  to  the  castle  gate, 
and  the  warden  met  them,  and  he  was  a 
stranger. 

"  Who  reigneth  here  ? "  asked  King 
Sylvain. 

"  King  Hughes  and  his  lady  Isobel," 
said  the  warden. 

"  Marry,  and  is  it  so  ? "  quoth  King 
Sylvain,  for  he  wist  not  what  to  say. 

"  Ay,  and  'tis  a  good  king  and  a  war- 
224 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

like,"  said  the  warden.  "  Wherever  he 
may  be  is  deeds  of  arms  a-doing.  Men 
say  he  hath  a  great  stroke  with  his 
weapon,  and  for  mine  own  part  should  I 
not  be  glad  of  finding  myself  at  the  point 
of  his  spear.  He  loveth  fighting  more 
than  did  King  Sylvain." 

"Ay,  but  I  be  a  good  gardener,"  said 
King  Sylvain,  and  the  man  looked  at  him 
and  weened  that  he  was  mad. 

"And  I  be  a  good  warden,"  he  made  an- 
swer, "  but  that  is  neither  here  nor  there." 

Then  King  Sylvain  made  known  his  de- 
sire, and  the  seneschal  came  and  was  one 
that  they  knew  not,  for  Sir  Landis  was 
dead,  and  him  they  followed  to  the  pres- 
ence chamber  of  Prince  Hughes.  He  sat 
high  on  a  dais,  and  he  was  richly  clad  in 
purple  and  ware  a  crown  of  gold.  Black 
were  hair  and  beard  and  red  his  face,  and 
p  225 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMEE 

many  foes  had  found  it  terrible.  Over  him 
was  a  canopy  hung  with  cloth  of  silk,  and 
about  him  stood  many  in  waiting. 

Then  King  Sylvain  and  Queen  Aimee 
entered,  and  the  Queen  trembled  as  she 
came,  but  they  knelt  not  nor  made  obei- 
sance, and  Prince  Hughes  looked  at  them 
and  frowned,  and  his  face  was  frightful  to 
see. 

"  What  be  ye  that  bend  not  the  knee  to 
the  true  king  ? "  he  asked,  and  his  voice 
was  as  thunder.  Then  looked  he  again,  and 
the  blood  rushed  to  face  and  eyes. 

"  So  God  me  help,"  he  said,  "  'tis  my 
cousin  Sylvain,  the  King,"  and  he  rose  and 
came  hastily  down  from  the  dais  toward 
them.  Then  King  Sylvain  laid  his  hand 
on  his  sword,  for  he  knew  not  what  might 
befall,  and  the  Queen  gathered  her  child  in 
her  arms  and  bent  to  shield  it  with  her 
226 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

bosom,  but  Prince  Hughes  came  and  laid 
his  hands  on  King  Sylvain,  and  kissed  him 
on  either  cheek. 

"  But  an  if  thou  be  a  living  man  and 
no  sprite,"  he  said,  "  tell  me  where  thou 
hast  been  since  the  day  that  we  lost  thee." 

"  I'  the  forest,"  said  King  Sylvain. 

"Mad,  I  trow,"  said  Prince  Hughes. 
"  Many  run  mad  in  the  forest." 

"Ay,"  said  the  King,  "that  was  I." 

"And  the  Queen?"  said  Prince  Hughes, 
and  he  bent  to  kiss  her  hand. 

"  Mad  was  I  also,  Hughes,"  said  Queen 
Aimee.  "  See,  'tis  my  son,"  and  she  gave 
the  child  into  his  arms,  and  it  smiled  up 
at  him.  Then  Prince  Hughes  looked  from 
one  to  another,  and  of  a  sudden  he  took 
the  babe,  and  King  and  Queen  started,  for 
they  feared  some  harm  ;  but  Prince  Hughes 
mounted  up  on  the  dais  and  laid  him 
227 


KING   SYLVAIN  AND   QUEEN   AIMEE 

lengthwise  upon  the  throne  and  bent  the 
knee  afore  him.  Then  were  the  eyes  of 
King  Sylvain  wet,  and  all  them  in  waiting 
stood  and  watched  and  breathed  not. 

"  Wit  thou  well,  Sylvain,  that  I  am 
glad  of  thy  coming,"  said  Prince  Hughes. 
"  Far  and  wide  have  we  sought  thee,  and 
I  have  but  held  thine  own  until  thou  came, 
and  now  will  I  give  thee  back  thy  crown." 

"  Nay,"  said  King  Sylvain,  "  that  would 
I  not  have  at  no  price,  but  I  have  a  son." 

"  He  shall  sit  there,"  said  Prince  Hughes, 
"where  he  now  lieth." 

"  But  thou  hast  seven  sons,"  said  King 
Sylvain. 

"  Now  what  be  my  seven  sons  in  the 
presence  of  the  true  King,"  said  Prince 
Hughes,  "  save  loyal  subjects  ?  Call  them 
hither  all,  that  I  may  see  them  bend  afore 
the  child  and  thee,  and  if  any  hath  a  mind 
228 


KING   SYLVAIN    AND    OUEEN   AIMfiE 

•"•w 

to  wear  a  crown  that  longeth  to  another, 
let  him  deal  with  me,"  and  his  hand  went 
to  his  sword,  but  he  had  none. 

So  King  Sylvain  and  Queen  Aimee  stood 
side  by  side  on  the  dais  and  the  Prince  lay 
atween  them,  and  the  seven  sons  of  Prince 
Hughes  came  and  kneeled  afore  them,  and 
they  were  goodly  youths  all,  each  taller  than 
other.  Anon  came  Sir  Gilles,  for  he  was 
troubled  in  mind  and  thought  the  mat- 
ter had  gone  wrong,  so  he  entered  and 
twelve  trusty  knights  with  him,  all  armed. 
Then  Prince  Hughes  looked  at  them  and 
at  the  King  and  knew  their  purpose. 

"  That  was  the  first  unknightly  thought 
that  thou  hast  had,  Sylvain,"  said  Prince 
Hughes.  "  Didst  think  I  would  lay  hand 
on  mine  own  anointed  King?" 

"  Now  I  crave  thee  right  heartily  of  thy 
pardon,  Cousin,"  said  King  Sylvain,  "for 
229 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIiMEE 

I  should  have  known  that  no  knight  in 
Christendom  would  deal  so  courteously  as 
thou."  Then  spake  Sir  Gilles :  — 

"  'Twas  my  thought  and  not  the  King's," 
and  all  was  forgotten. 

That  night  was  there  great  cheer  and 
rejoicing  at  the  castle,  and  harpers  made 
music,  and  the  feet  of  many  dancers  moved 
thereto.  Then  came  one  with  a  torch  to 
guide  King  Sylvain  and  Oueen  Aimee  to 
their  chamber. 

"  I  have  done  thee  wrong  in  my  flight 
and  my  return,"  said  King  Sylvain  to  Prince 
Hughes. 

"  Nay,  and  that  hast  thou  not,"  said  the 
other,  "  for  I  have  had  good  righting." 


230 


CHAPTER   XIX 


<$f  tjouj  lung  &vUwin  ana  €}ueen  iltmrf 
rrtumrD  to  tlj*  jforr0t  for  to 


233 


CHAPTER  XIX 


®f  Ijoto  fcing  £>£toain  ana 
murnea  to  tlje  jform  for  to 

THE  next  day  when  they  came  together, 
Prince  Hughes  said  to  King  Sylvain:  — 

"In  what  part  of  the  forest  wast  thou  ?  " 

"  In  Paradise,"  answered  King  Sylvain. 

Then  Prince  Hughes  laughed  loud  and 
long. 

"  Hadst  a  serpent  ?  "   he  inquired. 

"  Nay,  none,"  said  King  Sylvain,  "  and 
here  may  I  not  bide  longer,  for  I  have  need 
of  the  place  that  I  return." 

"  But  thy  throne  and  thy  sceptre  and  thy 
crown  ?  "  said  Prince  Hughes. 

"Them  mayst  thou  have  an  thou  wilt 
leave  me  axe  and  spade,"  said  King  Sylvain. 
235 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIMfiE 

"  My  roses  be  in  need  of  water  and  I  must 
back." 

"  Then  leave  here  the  Prince,  thy  son," 
said  Prince  Hughes.  "Him  will  we  rear 
and  train,  and  when  the  time  is  come  he  shall 
sit  upon  thy  throne,  Till  then  will  I  hold 
it  in  trust,  an  thou  dost  wish,  for  thou  art 
my  sovereign  and  thy  will  is  my  law." 

"  Nay,  but  the  lad  needeth  the  forest," 
said  King  Sylvain,  "  for  he  was  born  where 
there  was  fresh  air  for  his  nostrils,  and  un- 
less he  have  it  he  may  not  thrive." 

Queen  Aimee  said  nothing,  but  her  face 
was  wan  with  longing  for  the  lodge  in  the 
wood. 

"  Then  take  the  babe  and  go  back  to  the 
forest,"  said  Prince  Hughes,  "  and  when 
he  is  grown,  send  him  hither,  and  the  Arch- 
bishop shall  crown  him  and  he  shall  sit  on 
the  throne." 

236 


anto  i\)t  Prince 

237 


KING  SYLVAIN   AND    QUEEN   AIM£E 

So  he  called  his  sons  and  his  lords,  and 
they  all  sware  on  the  Holy  Book  that  the 
day  wherein  Leon  the  Glad  came  to  them 
from  the  forest  he  should  be  anointed  and 
wear  the  King's  crown.  Then  King  Sylvain 
and  Queen  Aimee  made  much  ado  for 
the  gentleness  and  courtesy  of  their  cousin, 
Prince  Hughes,  and  each  kissed  other  many 
times. 

Now  they  of  the  court  went  out  with 
the  King  and  the  Queen  to  speed  them  on 
their  way.  By  them  rode  Sir  Gilles  with 
the  Prince  upon  his  arm  as  afore,  and 
after  them  came  knights  a-many  in  shining 
armour  and  with  waving  plumes,  and  there 
were  many  ladies  richly  clad  in  cloth  of 
silk,  as  rose-coloured  and  yellow  and  blue. 
There  was  one  on  a  black  jennet  that  looked 
long  after  Sir  Gilles,  and  he  turned  his  eyes 
many  times  to  her  and  smiled.  So  at  the 
239 


KING   SYLVAIN   AND   QUEEN   AIM£E 

brow  of  the  hill  they  all  halted,  and  saw 
King  and  Queen  and  Sir  Gilles  and  the  child 
with  the  great  hound  after  them  go  forward 
on  the  road  atween  green  fields  that  led  to 
the  forest,  and  all  were  half  minded  to  follow. 


240 


A     000115561 


